Enlightenment 4.0: Understanding AI decisions as a human being
Austria · Guideline · Research Institute - Digital Human Rights Center, commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection
Our summary
A project to develop practical guidance on implementing Article 86 of the EU AI Act, which grants individuals the right to receive clear explanations of decisions made by high-risk AI systems. The initiative creates an accessible guide for both consumers and organizations on how to fulfill this transparency requirement, incorporating legal obligations and ethical principles aligned with Austria's AI strategy.
Written by the Index in our own words. It is not legal advice; the official text is the authority.
Inside this policy
Every section of this policy in order. Our notes summarise each one in plain language and do not quote the official text, which is the authority.
Drafted by the Index An automated summary of the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.
5 sections
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Project start: understanding AI decisions
Increased AI use in decision-making raises fundamental rights protection challenges. The Enlightenment 4.0 project examines Article 86 of the AI Act, which establishes an individual right to receive explanations of AI-driven decisions affecting persons.
Right to explanation
Article 86 of the AI Act grants individuals affected by high-risk AI decisions a directly enforceable right to receive clear information about the system's role and key decision elements. This right helps persons understand how and why decisions were made, and forms the basis for exercising other rights and claims, though practical implementation details remain unresolved.
Enlightenment 4.0: transparency and accountability
The Austrian federal ministry commissioned Enlightenment 4.0, led by the Research Institute, to develop practical guidance on exercising the Article 86 information right. The project examines this right alongside related data protection rules, particularly GDPR Articles 22 and 15, and has completed a theoretical interim report.
Practical guide for the future
The project aims to produce an accessible practical guide for consumers and businesses implementing the AI Act's information right, addressing both legal obligations and ethical AI considerations. It will include case examples and pilot training sessions, running from June to November 2024.
Conclusion
Enlightenment 4.0 advances transparency and accountability in AI decision-making by ensuring the right to explanation is effectively implemented in practice, enabling affected persons to understand and exercise their rights within a legally and ethically sound AI governance framework.
Controls
What this policy requires, forbids, grants or penalises, one control at a time and in our own words. Each control links to the official text, which is the authority. This is not legal advice.
Drafted by the Index Drafted automatically from the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.
Themes covered 3 of 35
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Risk and scope 0 of 4
- Risk classification, not covered
- Prohibited practices, not covered
- Risk management system, not covered
- Impact assessment, not covered
Data and privacy 0 of 4
- Data governance and quality, not covered
- Data subject rights and consent, not covered
- Cross-border data transfer, not covered
- Copyright and training data, not covered
Transparency and records 1 of 4
- Labelling of synthetic content, not covered
- Technical documentation, not covered
- Record keeping and logging, not covered
Technical safeguards 0 of 4
- Human oversight, not covered
- Accuracy, robustness and cybersecurity, not covered
- Bias and non-discrimination, not covered
- Testing and evaluation, not covered
Assurance and lifecycle 0 of 4
- Conformity assessment and certification, not covered
- Registration and notification, not covered
- Incident and breach reporting, not covered
- Post-market monitoring and corrective action, not covered
Rights and protected groups 1 of 4
- Children and vulnerable groups, not covered
- Biometric identification and surveillance, not covered
- Whistleblowing, complaints and redress, not covered
Roles and organisation 1 of 6
- Supply chain and provider-deployer duties, not covered
- General purpose and foundation models, not covered
- Accountability and governance roles, not covered
- Public sector use and procurement, not covered
- Innovation support and sandboxes, not covered
Enforcement and sectors 0 of 5
- Enforcement, penalties and regulators, not covered
- Sector rules: health, not covered
- Sector rules: finance and insurance, not covered
- Sector rules: employment, not covered
- Sector rules: education, not covered
The full list of controls could not be loaded, so only the first 4 are shown.
Right to explanation 1 control
- RightApplies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
Individuals affected by high-risk AI decisions have a right to receive clear information about the system's role in and key elements of the decision.
Enlightenment 4.0: transparency and accountability 1 control
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The Austrian federal ministry should support development of practical guidance on how people can exercise their right to information about AI decisions under the AI Act and GDPR.
Practical guide for the future 1 control
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDeadline was Drafted by the Index
Practical guidance for the AI Act's information right should be made accessible to consumers and businesses, with case examples and pilot training sessions.
Conclusion 1 control
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
Implementation of the right to explanation should enable affected persons to understand and exercise their rights in AI decision-making within a legally and ethically sound governance framework.
Change history
No changes recorded since we began monitoring this policy.