Unilever has outlined the key measures it has adopted to comply with the EU AI Act, which will officially come into effect tomorrow. This legislation represents the first comprehensive regulation designed to manage the risks associated with AI systems. As the global conversation around AI governance continues to grow, Unilever positions itself at the forefront, ensuring that it adheres to these new requirements. Unilever outlines its strategy as the EU AI Act comes into effect, showcasing the company’s proactive approach in navigating the complexities of AI regulation.
The EU AI Act is anticipated to serve as a model for similar laws that may emerge worldwide. “Regulatory compliance is a critical element of our Responsible AI Framework, and we actively monitor and address upcoming legal changes that could affect Unilever,” says Christine Lee, Unilever’s chief privacy officer. Unilever outlines its strategy as the EU AI Act comes into effect, emphasizing how the company’s cross-functional team of experts assesses AI projects, ensuring that they meet regulatory standards and minimizing potential risks before they are deployed.
Managing over 500 AI systems globally, Unilever’s AI journey began in 2019, when concerns around digital transparency and privacy were intensifying. By 2021, the company had strengthened its business principles, committing to “responsible, ethical, and fair” use of data. This foundation helped Unilever scale its AI assurance processes, especially during the rapid expansion of generative AI technologies. Unilever outlines its strategy as the EU AI Act comes into effect, highlighting the triage system it has developed in collaboration with its partners at Holistic AI, ensuring compliance and safeguarding AI projects.
Unilever’s risk management efforts have been robust, with its cross-functional team recently reaching the milestone of assuring 150 AI projects. According to Andy Hill, Unilever’s chief data officer, this assurance process has allowed the company to innovate and deploy trustworthy AI systems faster. “We see the potential for AI to drive productivity, creativity, and growth at Unilever,” he says. As Unilever outlines its strategy as the EU AI Act comes into effect, Hill stresses the importance of responsibly deploying AI as these systems grow in complexity and usage.
In addition to the EU AI Act, Unilever is closely monitoring other legal frameworks, such as the US White House Executive Order on AI. Christine Lee notes that although Unilever has established its legal and ethical guidelines for AI use, the fast pace of technological advancements often leaves gaps in areas such as intellectual property rights, data privacy, and AI bias. Unilever outlines its strategy as the EU AI Act comes into effect, reaffirming its commitment to staying ahead of evolving global regulations while driving AI-powered innovation responsibly.
