March 2025
In March 2024, the European Parliament approved the EU Artificial Intelligence Act—the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for regulating artificial intelligence. The Act aims to ensure that AI systems used across the EU are safe, transparent, and aligned with fundamental rights and values.
For the AI Leaders project, which focuses on integrating applied and ethical AI into business and management education, this legislation confirms the growing need for educators to address both the opportunities and the responsibilities that come with AI.
Why the AI Act Matters to Business Education
The AI Act introduces a risk-based approach to regulation, categorising AI systems into four levels of risk: unacceptable, high, limited, and minimal. High-risk systems—such as those used in recruitment, credit scoring, and education—will face specific compliance obligations, including transparency, data governance, and human oversight.
As implementation of the Act begins in stages from February 2025, educators in business and management fields have an important role to play. They will be preparing students not only to understand and use AI tools, but also to navigate the ethical, legal, and operational responsibilities that come with them.
From Regulation to Real-World Learning
The Responsible AI Case Studies & Introductory Toolkit, now available on the AI Leaders website, has been designed to help educators meet this challenge. It includes:
- A State of the Art Review offering a clear explanation of applied and ethical AI in the context of business education
- A Compendium of Case Studies featuring real-world AI use cases in business and management
- A Toolbox of Recommended Digital Tools to support teaching in both in-person and online environments
These resources are grounded in the same values the AI Act promotes: safety, transparency, accountability, and fairness. They help educators bring regulatory developments into the classroom in a way that is accessible and practical.
Building Competence for a Changing Landscape
As regulation catches up with technology, business educators are increasingly called upon to equip students with the competence to lead in AI-informed environments. This includes technical understanding, ethical reasoning, and awareness of policy frameworks like the EU AI Act.
The AI Leaders project supports this shift by offering practical tools and examples to support effective, future-focused teaching. The coming years will require more than just awareness of AI—they will demand active engagement with how it is developed, used, and governed.
Access the Toolkit here:
https://aileaders-project.eu/resources/responsible-ai-case-studies-and-introductory-toolkit
#AILeaders #EUAIAct #EthicalAI #AIinBusiness #HigherEd #ResponsibleAI #BusinessEducation
Written by Kathryn O’Brien (EUEI)