Open Joint Letter on the Digital Omnibus on AI Preserving the Scope and Integrity of the AI Act

European consumer groups are raising alarms over proposed amendments to the AI Act, fearing significant loopholes that could undermine its effectiveness. BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, alongside 33 other organizations representing diverse sectors, has penned a joint letter urging EU institutions to preserve the integrity of the landmark AI legislation. The core concern revolves around the potential removal of Annex I, which currently defines the scope of high-risk AI systems subject to stringent regulation. This proposed change could exempt numerous industrial and consumer-facing AI applications from the AI Act's purview, creating a significant regulatory gap. Such an omission would allow a broad spectrum of AI systems, from those used in critical infrastructure to everyday consumer products, to bypass the Act's safeguards. The signatories emphasize that this would weaken the intended protections for citizens and compromise the EU's ambition to be a global leader in trustworthy AI development. The implications of weakening the AI Act are far-reaching, potentially impacting consumer safety, data privacy, and fair competition. Excluding a wide array of AI systems could leave consumers vulnerable to potentially harmful or discriminatory AI applications without adequate recourse. This move also risks diluting the EU's commitment to a human-centric approach to artificial intelligence, a cornerstone of its digital strategy and a key differentiator in the global tech landscape.