The European Union will be able to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technologies to track citizens in public spaces, conduct real-time surveillance of refugees at border areas, and apply facial recognition tools on suspected individuals. This decision was reported by the newspaper Público and comes in the context of the approval of the European AI Regulation, the first set of laws aimed at regulating the use of this technology. The information was initially published by the Executive Digest website.

This regulation aims to create "an AI ecosystem that benefits everyone," but it underwent several changes during negotiations in the EU Council. Among the most notable exceptions, supported by countries such as France, Hungary, and Portugal, is the possibility of free use of the technology for national security purposes.

According to Investigate Europe, several EU member states successfully eased restrictions on the use of AI, allowing law enforcement and border authorities greater freedom to monitor citizens. The Portuguese representative emphasized that security forces should not be hindered in performing their duties. This decision means that authorities will have the option to apply surveillance in public spaces if a state deems it necessary for national security.

Exemptions also cover private companies and even third countries, which could provide AI technology to law enforcement. However, the measure has sparked controversy: a lawyer from the conservative group in the European Parliament stated that the regulation goes against fundamental rights and the constitutions of EU countries. "France could ask the Chinese government to use its satellites to take photographs and then sell the data to the French government," he commented.

Despite security concessions, the use of "emotional recognition" systems has been banned starting from February 2nd in workplaces, schools, and universities. With this decision, companies will be prohibited from tracking customers in stores to analyze their buying intentions, and employers will not be allowed to monitor their employees' emotional state to determine if they are satisfied or likely to leave the company.

The new AI regulation represents an important milestone in regulating emerging technologies in Europe, balancing security concerns on one hand and citizens' fundamental rights on the other. The measure is expected to spark ongoing debates about the limits of technology use in everyday life.