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Tag: period

  • Commission Contemplates Granting Companies an AI Code Compliance Grace Period

    Heads Up: AI Rules Hitting the Stage Soon!

    Big news for everyone working with general‑purpose AI: the Code of Practice is slated to be released before August 2. That’s the very day the rules will go into effect, so keep your calendars open and your code tidy.

    Why the buzz matters

    • All‑encompassing scope: From chatbots to autonomous systems, the new guidelines touch it all.
    • Clear compliance checkpoints: Developers will know exactly what’s expected, making the audit process smoother.
    • Legal deadline: By August 2, every AI system in deployment must be compliant.

    So, whether you’re a seasoned programmer or just tinkering with a cool AI project, this is your cue to double‑check your practices—before the big drop‑in on August 2.

    AI Act: Companies Seek a Breather, and the Commission’s Ready to Offer One

    What’s the Deal with the Code of Practice?

    Think of the Code of Practice for General-Purpose AI (GPAI) as a voluntary handbook that helps AI folks—think ChatGPT, Gemini, and the rest—stay on track with the EU’s AI Act. Instead of fighting the law, the Code offers a set of friendly guidelines to keep everyone on the same page.

    Publication Gets a Hold‑Up, but Freedom’s Still on the Horizon

    The final version of the Code was slated for May, but it’s been bumped back. The Commission has promised that the Code will drop just before the Act’s “official” start—maybe sometime around 10 July. A quick look at the internal memo says the AI Office is hoping to release it a few days before the rules go into force on 2 August.

    Why the Commission is Hosting a Big Workshop

    • Collect feedback from AI providers on the latest draft.
    • Showcase the perks of signing the voluntary Code.
    • Make sure everyone gets the same voice on how the Code fits with the upcoming Act.

    Companies Are Asking for a Ticker‑Tape Style “Grace Period”

    During a meeting on 27 June, Google reps asked the EU Technology Commissioner Henna Virkkunen if there could be more wiggle room for compliance. The teams want to install a short grace period because the Code will hit the scene only a few days before the AI Act takes effect.

    The AI Act’s Roll‑Out: 2024 Now, 2027 Later

    Remember, the AI Act didn’t all go live at once. While some rules went live yesterday, others will only kick in 2027. The Commission is now revving up to possibly formalise the Code via an implementing act, after the experts drafted the rules back in September 2024.

    Four Key Take‑aways

    • Code = Voluntary Relief – Companies get a hand‑hold before the Act’s strict guidelines.
    • Timeline Shifts – The Code’s release has been delayed, still aligned with the Act’s launch.
    • Companies Want Flexibility – The “grace period” talks are still in the works.
    • The Future is in the Air – The Commission might formalise the Code as the AI Act matures and future rules come into play.

    Courting the AI Act has never been this messy—but with a hint of collaboration, companies and regulators hope to steer clear of nasty surprises and hard hits. The commission’s still waiting for its opportunity to shape the final action, and everyone’s holding their collective breath for what’s next.

  • Archaeology student finds 1200-year-old gold in his first excavation

    Archaeology student finds 1200-year-old gold in his first excavation

    Dating to the 800s, the object is about four centimetres long and has a decorative ornament on one end.

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    An archaeology student from the US state of Florida has discovered a rare 9th-century gold object during her first excavation in the UK.
    The student, Yara Souza, unearthed a gold medallion from the medieval period in about 90 minutes during work carried out by Newcastle University in the Redesdale area of Northumberland in July.

    “I couldn’t believe I found something so fast on my first dig, it was quite an exciting and slightly overwhelming experience,” Souza told the Daily Mail.
    According to the university, the object, which dates back to the 800s, is about four centimetres long and has a decorative ornament on one end. The piece was found close to the route of Dere Street, an important road connecting York and Edinburgh during the Roman Empire.

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    This road continued to be used after the fall of Rome and became part of the A68 motorway, which today runs from Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, to the north-east of England.
    According to experts, the gold object may have had a religious or ceremonial function. Gold was a high-status material used by the elite of the period, and Dere Street connected two major religious centres.

    James Gerrard, Professor of Roman Archaeology at Newcastle University and Souza’s supervisor, said: “This is an exciting discovery of exceptional quality. I am delighted for Yara that she has made such a find so early in her career.”
    Gerrard also pointed out that Dere Street was an important route in the post-Roman period, saying: “This object shows that high-status people continued to use the road. It may have been deliberately buried,” he added.
    Souza is studying archaeology at Newcastle University. Recalling that she was unable to take part in the excavations of the Roman fortress at Birdoswald last year due to illness, she said: “It was incredible to find something that had not seen the light of day for over a thousand years after waiting a year. I literally passed out,” he said.