International Regulations Concerning Artificial Intelligence
EU, Top Countries, Initiatives
SYSTEM
3/23/20256 min read
written by AI
Introduction to AI Regulations
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms societies, the need for comprehensive international regulation has never been more urgent. Governments, institutions, and global coalitions are working to build frameworks that ensure ethical and secure AI development. This article explores key international approaches to AI regulation, including Hungary’s role, and compares the perspectives of G7 and BRICS countries on AI governance.
Why AI Regulation Matters
AI brings innovation but also presents ethical, social, and legal risks. Data misuse, algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, and misuse of AI in surveillance or warfare require robust oversight. The absence of unified global standards has led to fragmented policies across nations. International coordination is vital to prevent loopholes and ensure responsible AI deployment.
Major AI Regulations Around the World
1. European Union – The AI Act
The EU’s AI Act is a landmark in global regulation. It categorizes AI systems by risk:
Unacceptable Risk – Banned systems (e.g., mass surveillance, social scoring).
High Risk – Systems in healthcare, law enforcement, etc., requiring transparency and human oversight.
Limited Risk – Require transparency, like chatbots.
Minimal Risk – Few rules, such as AI in video games.
The EU’s model emphasizes human rights and safety and is shaping global policy standards.
2. Hungary – EU Alignment with Local Implementation
Hungary follows EU AI legislation while developing its own national framework. In 2024, Hungary launched its AI Council, which monitors and adapts EU-level laws for domestic implementation. The country also prioritizes AI education, industry collaboration, and public sector innovation. Hungary’s approach reflects a balance between EU-level compliance and national strategic priorities.
3. United States – Sector-Based Federal Approach
The U.S. favors a sectoral strategy. While lacking a unified AI law, the White House introduced the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights in 2022, with five principles:
Safe and Effective AI
Algorithmic Fairness
Data Privacy
Transparency and Explanation
Human Oversight
Agencies like the FTC and NIST also issue sector-specific AI guidance.
4. China – National Security and Algorithmic Control
China’s approach prioritizes national control. It enforces strict laws on data protection (e.g., PIPL) and regulates algorithms used in platforms like TikTok or WeChat. Key principles include:
Fairness and Non-Discrimination
Public Opinion Management
AI aligned with state security goals
China's model reflects state-centric regulation with strong enforcement mechanisms.
5. United Kingdom – Innovation-Focused Framework
The UK promotes innovation by avoiding rigid regulation. Its strategy is based on soft governance, encouraging:
Developer self-regulation
Ethical innovation
Public trust in AI
Compliance with UK GDPR remains essential, but the government avoids heavy-handed legislative barriers.
6. Canada – AI and Data Act (AIDA)
Canada is drafting AIDA to regulate high-impact AI systems, emphasizing:
Transparency
Data governance
Risk assessments
It aligns closely with OECD principles and emphasizes human-centered development.
7. Japan – Balanced Guidelines for Innovation and Ethics
Japan takes a harmonized approach. Through its AI Strategy Council, Japan focuses on:
Human rights
Innovation
International cooperation
Its policies guide rather than enforce, aiming for ethical, sustainable growth.
G7 vs. BRICS: Diverging Paths in AI Governance
G7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the U.S.) promote democratic values in AI. They support:
Open data practices
Human rights protection
Transparency in algorithms
International cooperation
Initiatives like the G7 AI Principles and Code of Conduct aim to create unified ethical standards among democracies.
In contrast, BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) are crafting more sovereignty-driven policies. Their approach includes:
Prioritizing national interests over global norms
Developing independent data and AI infrastructure
Emphasizing state control over platform algorithms
This ideological divide may deepen the fragmentation of global AI governance.
Hungary in the Global Context
Hungary operates within the EU’s regulatory umbrella but has shown an interest in engaging with non-Western partners. It observes G7 principles due to EU alignment but also maintains economic and technological relations with BRICS members—particularly China. Hungary could act as a potential bridge in AI diplomacy between East and West.
Global Cooperation and Governance Frameworks
OECD AI Principles
Established in 2019, the OECD’s principles offer a global ethical baseline:
Human-centered AI
Transparency
Security and robustness
Inclusive and sustainable growth
Accountability
Over 40 countries have adopted them, including Hungary.
United Nations and UNESCO
UNESCO proposed a Global AI Ethics Framework, calling for:
Human rights-based development
Democratic oversight
Cultural and gender inclusion
These guidelines aim to unify ethical principles across jurisdictions.
G20 and Multilateral AI Discussions
The G20 is increasingly active in AI regulation, focusing on:
Cross-border data flow
Preventing AI misuse
Harmonizing AI trade and development standards
Hungary participates indirectly via EU representation.
Future Trends in AI Regulation
Key Developments Ahead:
AI audit systems and compliance tools
Global treaties and governance bodies
Ethics-by-design development models
Stronger private-public partnerships
Open-source AI regulation debates
Governments will also consider generative AI’s unique risks, including misinformation and deepfakes.
Role of Businesses and Developers
Dwritten by AI
Introduction to AI Regulations
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms societies, the need for comprehensive international regulation has never been more urgent. Governments, institutions, and global coalitions are working to build frameworks that ensure ethical and secure AI development. This article explores key international approaches to AI regulation, including Hungary’s role, and compares the perspectives of G7 and BRICS countries on AI governance.
Why AI Regulation Matters
AI brings innovation but also presents ethical, social, and legal risks. Data misuse, algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, and misuse of AI in surveillance or warfare require robust oversight. The absence of unified global standards has led to fragmented policies across nations. International coordination is vital to prevent loopholes and ensure responsible AI deployment.
Major AI Regulations Around the World
1. European Union – The AI Act
The EU’s AI Act is a landmark in global regulation. It categorizes AI systems by risk:
Unacceptable Risk – Banned systems (e.g., mass surveillance, social scoring).
High Risk – Systems in healthcare, law enforcement, etc., requiring transparency and human oversight.
Limited Risk – Require transparency, like chatbots.
Minimal Risk – Few rules, such as AI in video games.
The EU’s model emphasizes human rights and safety and is shaping global policy standards.
2. Hungary – EU Alignment with Local Implementation
Hungary follows EU AI legislation while developing its own national framework. In 2024, Hungary launched its AI Council, which monitors and adapts EU-level laws for domestic implementation. The country also prioritizes AI education, industry collaboration, and public sector innovation. Hungary’s approach reflects a balance between EU-level compliance and national strategic priorities.
3. United States – Sector-Based Federal Approach
The U.S. favors a sectoral strategy. While lacking a unified AI law, the White House introduced the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights in 2022, with five principles:
Safe and Effective AI
Algorithmic Fairness
Data Privacy
Transparency and Explanation
Human Oversight
Agencies like the FTC and NIST also issue sector-specific AI guidance.
4. China – National Security and Algorithmic Control
China’s approach prioritizes national control. It enforces strict laws on data protection (e.g., PIPL) and regulates algorithms used in platforms like TikTok or WeChat. Key principles include:
Fairness and Non-Discrimination
Public Opinion Management
AI aligned with state security goals
China's model reflects state-centric regulation with strong enforcement mechanisms.
5. United Kingdom – Innovation-Focused Framework
The UK promotes innovation by avoiding rigid regulation. Its strategy is based on soft governance, encouraging:
Developer self-regulation
Ethical innovation
Public trust in AI
Compliance with UK GDPR remains essential, but the government avoids heavy-handed legislative barriers.
6. Canada – AI and Data Act (AIDA)
Canada is drafting AIDA to regulate high-impact AI systems, emphasizing:
Transparency
Data governance
Risk assessments
It aligns closely with OECD principles and emphasizes human-centered development.
7. Japan – Balanced Guidelines for Innovation and Ethics
Japan takes a harmonized approach. Through its AI Strategy Council, Japan focuses on:
Human rights
Innovation
International cooperation
Its policies guide rather than enforce, aiming for ethical, sustainable growth.
G7 vs. BRICS: Diverging Paths in AI Governance
G7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the U.S.) promote democratic values in AI. They support:
Open data practices
Human rights protection
Transparency in algorithms
International cooperation
Initiatives like the G7 AI Principles and Code of Conduct aim to create unified ethical standards among democracies.
In contrast, BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) are crafting more sovereignty-driven policies. Their approach includes:
Prioritizing national interests over global norms
Developing independent data and AI infrastructure
Emphasizing state control over platform algorithms
This ideological divide may deepen the fragmentation of global AI governance.
Hungary in the Global Context
Hungary operates within the EU’s regulatory umbrella but has shown an interest in engaging with non-Western partners. It observes G7 principles due to EU alignment but also maintains economic and technological relations with BRICS members—particularly China. Hungary could act as a potential bridge in AI diplomacy between East and West.
Global Cooperation and Governance Frameworks
OECD AI Principles
Established in 2019, the OECD’s principles offer a global ethical baseline:
Human-centered AI
Transparency
Security and robustness
Inclusive and sustainable growth
Accountability
Over 40 countries have adopted them, including Hungary.
United Nations and UNESCO
UNESCO proposed a Global AI Ethics Framework, calling for:
Human rights-based development
Democratic oversight
Cultural and gender inclusion
These guidelines aim to unify ethical principles across jurisdictions.
G20 and Multilateral AI Discussions
The G20 is increasingly active in AI regulation, focusing on:
Cross-border data flow
Preventing AI misuse
Harmonizing AI trade and development standards
Hungary participates indirectly via EU representation.
Future Trends in AI Regulation
Key Developments Ahead:
AI audit systems and compliance tools
Global treaties and governance bodies
Ethics-by-design development models
Stronger private-public partnerships
Open-source AI regulation debates
Governments will also consider generative AI’s unique risks, including misinformation and deepfakes.
Role of Businesses and Developers
Developers must ensure compliance with regional laws and global ethical expectations. Firms that embed transparency, fairness, and accountability into design will gain competitive advantage. Hungary’s start-up ecosystem and AI research hubs are aligning with this shift.
Conclusion
AI regulation is no longer optional—it's a global priority. Hungary, like other nations, must navigate a fast-changing legal landscape shaped by both regional alliances and geopolitical blocs like G7 and BRICS. The path forward lies in cooperation, innovation, and a shared commitment to safe, inclusive AI. Understanding and adapting to these evolving frameworks will be essential for every business, developer, and policymaker in the AI era.evelopers must ensure compliance with regional laws and global ethical expectations. Firms that embed transparency, fairness, and accountability into design will gain competitive advantage. Hungary’s start-up ecosystem and AI research hubs are aligning with this shift.