Observed 004

Hi there

Fresh from our latest Show & Tell session, this newsletter cuts through the noise around AI's shifting landscape. While everyone else is busy speculating about what might happen, we're focused on what actually matters for your business right now.

Whether you're knee-deep in AI implementation or just starting to explore the possibilities, you'll find practical insights here that you can actually use. No hype, no fluff - just clear thinking about complex changes.

AI's Next Chapter: Strategy Over Speculation

The AI landscape is about to experience a fundamental reset. Our recent Show & Tell discussion highlighted some fascinating implications of the changing political climate, particularly around regulation and market dynamics. Here's what you need to know.

The Regulatory Rollercoaster

Remember all that careful work on AI regulation? The frameworks, the ethical guidelines, the attempts at international cooperation? That's about to get interesting. A potential Trump return doesn't just mean a policy shift - it represents a complete reset of the AI landscape.

The UK's historic weakness in digital policy has been slavishly following US commercial interests. That dynamic's about to go into overdrive. But oddly enough, there's potential upside here. The regulatory uncertainty that's been holding back AI development is about to get sorted - one way or another.

Where's the Smart Money Going?

For organisations that know what they're doing - the ones focused on solving actual business problems rather than chasing AI for AI's sake - this creates some interesting opportunities. While everyone else runs around like headless chickens, there's room to make serious progress.

We're watching major players lock up training data through commercial deals at an unprecedented rate. Every major content creator is being hoovered up into exclusive deals. It's not just about building better AI - it's about making sure nobody else can.

Beyond the Usual Suspects

Everyone's obsessing about US versus EU regulation, but we're missing the bigger picture. The BRICS nations aren't just sitting around waiting to see what happens next. They're actively shaping their own AI future, and they're not particularly bothered about playing by Western rules.

What It Means for British Business

We're sitting in an interesting spot. Not fully aligned with any of the major power blocs, but with connections to all of them. The question isn't whether we align with US or EU approaches anymore - it's how we navigate a world where AI development is happening in multiple competing spheres.

The Practical Response

Smart organisations are finding ways to work with what they've got:

• Focus on discrete problems instead of trying to boil the ocean

• Own your data - your competitive advantage comes from your specific knowledge

• Think sustainability - not just environmental, but business sustainability

• Build for a fragmented future - the power centres are shifting

Looking Forward

The winners won't be the ones who wait for perfect clarity or try to solve everything at once. They'll be the ones who stay focused on practical implementation while keeping one eye on the bigger picture.

Remember: you don't need to outrun the bear, you just need to outrun the person next to you. Focus on solving real problems, keep your implementations focused, and stay agile enough to adapt as the landscape changes.

Have Your Voice Heard: EU Consultation For Commission Guidelines on the Application of the Definition of an AI System and Prohibited AI Practices

Try saying that after a “networking event”.

Our friends at KassaiLaw - legal experts specialising in emerging technologies – brought to our attention a recently launched multi-stakeholder consultation questionnaire by the European AI Office, available here until 11th December 2024.

The main purpose of the consultation is to gather stakeholder input, particularly explanations and concrete cases on the applications of

• the definition of an AI system, and

• the prohibited practices established in the AI Act.

Why Is It Important?

The current legal text on AI (as well as other recent regulations on technology like MiCA), is designed to be flexible and adaptable for long-term use. Consequently, it is meant to be supplemented with guidelines, best practices, additional standards and potential finetuning as real-world applications emerge, allowing technology to evolve without unnecessary constraints.

This questionnaire helps the Commission develop practical guidelines based on real-life examples that address areas of the AI Act requiring further clarification. These guidelines will complement the Act, offering more precise applications of the law for businesses and individuals.

We at Obsolete use AI-related legal material every day, so by filling out the consultation paper you help us to help you too!

That’s it for this edition of "Observed." Stay tuned for more in the next edition.

The Obsolete team