On February 2, 2025, the European Union made a bold initiative in the ongoing battle to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) banning certain high-risk AI systems that could threaten privacy, human rights, and safety of individuals. This is part of the EU’s ambitious Artificial Intelligence Act,2024, designed to ensure that AI technologies are used ethically and responsibly.
But what exactly is banned, and why does it matter?
The EU targets several AI applications that could have an extensive and often negative impact on society. The AI Act also introduces key provisions regarding AI literacy and prohibited AI applications:
Prohibited AI Uses (Article 5)
Article 5 of the AI Act explicitly bans certain AI applications that pose unacceptable risks. These include AI systems designed to manipulate or exploit individuals, conduct social scoring, or infer emotions in settings such as workplaces and educational institutions. The ban applies not only to companies developing these AI systems but also to those that establish them.
1. AI that Manipulates Human Behaviour (Art. 5(1)(a))
We’ve all been targeted by those ads that seem to know our every desire. But what if AI was used to manipulate emotions or decision-making in harmful ways such as coercing people into political decisions or swaying votes? The EU has placed strict limits on these manipulative AI systems, which could otherwise fuel misinformation and unethical marketing practices.
2. AI that Exploits Vulnerabilities (Art. 5(1)(b))
The AI Act prohibits AI systems that take advantage of individuals’ vulnerabilities, such as age, disability, or economic and social circumstances, to manipulate their behavior in ways that cause harm. This includes AI designed to target individuals based on their personal vulnerabilities, possibly influencing their decisions, actions, or preferences in a distorted manner. The aim is to prevent exploitation and protect individuals from being coerced or manipulated, ensuring AI is used responsibly, fairly and ethically without exploiting disadvantaged groups.
3. AI for Social Scoring (Art. 5(1)(c))
Imagine an AI that scores your trustworthiness based on your actions, relationships, and social media posts. This type of system, often seen in authoritarian regimes like China’s social credit system, has now been banned in the EU. Governments and companies won’t be able to use AI to judge citizens or assign scores that obstruct their rights or opportunities.
4. AI for Predicting Criminal Behaviour(Art. 5(1)(d))
Imagine an AI that predicts who might commit a crime based solely on data. Sounds like a dystopian future, right? The EU has banned the use of AI for predictive policing without proper oversight and accountability, ensuring that human rights aren’t violated in the process.
5. Real-Time Biometric Surveillance (Art. 5(1)(e))
Picture walking down the street, unaware that AI-powered facial recognition software is tracking your every move. The EU has prohibited this type of mass surveillance in public spaces unless used in extraordinary situations—such as catching criminals or locating missing people. This is a major step in protecting privacy and limiting obtrusive government monitoring.
6. AI that Inferences Emotions in Sensitive Settings (Art. 5(1)(f))
The AI Act prohibits AI systems that analyze or infer emotions in sensitive environments, such as workplaces or educational institutions, including technologies that attempt to read or predict emotional status based on facial expressions, voice tone, or other behavioral actions, as these systems can invade privacy, manipulate individuals and the EU has banned their use in these settings to protect personal autonomy , dignity and rights.
Why Does This Matter?
These bold regulations aren’t just about restricting technology; they’re about protecting rights in an increasingly digital world. As AI grows more powerful, its probability of abuse also rises. The EU’s decision to ban these high-risk systems sends a clear message: AI should empower people, not control them. The move is a giant step forward for privacy advocates, as well as for the growing number of people concerned about surveillance, manipulation, and the ethical use of technology. By setting these boundaries, the EU is creating a framework for the safe and ethical use of AI setting an example for the rest of the world.
While the EU has paved the way with this new law, the global conversation around AI regulation is just beginning. Countries around the world especially the United States and China are facing mounting pressure to balance technological advancement with ethical considerations.
For now, the EU is setting the gold standard for how AI should be regulated in order to protect privacy, freedom, and democracy.
