Implementing the EU’s AI Legislation in Czechia
As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to rise, the European Union (EU) has introduced regulations aimed at creating standardized rules for its deployment. The Artificial Intelligence Act is a significant piece of legislation that affects all companies and employers utilizing AI systems within the EU. This article explores the objectives of the AI Act and the steps that Czechia is taking to implement these regulations.
Key Regulations of the AI Act
Under the provisions of the AI Act, certain uses of AI are completely prohibited. These include:
- Manipulating public opinion
- Creating databases containing biometric data, such as facial features
AI applications in critical sectors such as infrastructure, banking, and healthcare are classified as high-risk. Organizations operating in these areas must ensure that their AI systems are supervised by a human and are subject to regular security testing.
Expert Insights on AI Implementation
Lukáš Benzl, the director of the Czech Association of Artificial Intelligence, emphasizes the need for transparency in AI operations. He states:
“There must be a high level of transparency, and AI also requires a certain level of AI literacy for every employee using an AI tool. It’s crucial to ensure that people are aware they are working with AI and understand the potential consequences of that.”
To facilitate compliance, Jan Tomíšek, an attorney at ROWAN LEGAL, suggests that larger organizations centralize the responsibility for managing AI use:
“While it’s not mandatory, we believe it’s practical to centralize this responsibility with someone who is familiar with all the major AI use cases in the organization. This person should be able to assess, classify, and determine where responsibilities lie.”
Implications for Businesses
For companies utilizing AI for routine tasks, the regulations are less stringent. However, they are still required to disclose when clients are interacting with AI systems. The complete rollout of these regulations is scheduled for August 2026, prompting EU member states to draft their own corresponding laws.
Government Stance and Future Considerations
The Czech Department of Commerce has indicated that it will not impose additional regulations beyond the EU framework to avoid unnecessary complications. Deputy Minister Jan Kavalírek expresses concern over potential tightening of the rules:
“What we’re concerned about is that it should not become more strict, as we can already see tendencies in the current draft that go beyond the scope of what is supposed to be a recommending document.”
The ministry’s strategy for drafting the law is ready, but it requires government approval, with expectations that the new administration may renegotiate its parameters.
Political Perspectives on AI Regulation
The ANO party has shown support for the AI Act, with deputy chairman Karel Havlíček advocating for minimal regulations:
“We should realize that we are not a country of giants, but rather a country of small and medium-sized companies, and that we should make it more pleasant, accessible, and, if possible, less intimidating.”
Zdeněk Zajicek, president of the Chamber of Commerce, agrees on the necessity of clarifying how supervisory authorities will operate. In Czechia, the Czech Telecommunications Office is designated to oversee compliance with the new regulations:
“The Czech Telecommunications Office wants to act in a predictable manner. This means that it carries out regular consultations so that companies can prepare themselves for what might await them if they do not comply with the rules.”
Companies will also have the opportunity to test their AI systems for compliance with the regulation. However, Havlíček has expressed skepticism regarding the capacity of the Czech Telecommunications Office to effectively manage this oversight, suggesting that the ministry should take the lead.
