General Data Protection Regulation

EU lawmakers are eyeing risk-based rules for AI, per leaked white paper

January 27, 2020January 27, 2020 NewsEditorAI, artificial intelligence, Europe, european commission, European Union, facial recognition, General Data Protection Regulation, Healthcare, law enforcement, surveillance, thierry-breton

The European Commission is considering a temporary ban on the use of facial recognition technology, according to a draft proposal for regulating artificial intelligence obtained by Euroactiv. Creating rules to ensure AI is ‘trustworthy and human’ has been an early flagship policy promise of the new Commission, led by president Ursula von der Leyen. But the leaked proposal suggests the EU’s executive body is in fact leaning towards tweaks of existing rules and sector/app specific risk-assessments and requirements, rather than anything as firm as blanket sectoral requirements or bans. The…

Odds and Ends

LocalGlobe partner Julia Hawkins discusses femtechs risks and rewards

January 23, 2020January 23, 2020 NewsEditorAda Ventures, femtech, General Data Protection Regulation, Julia Hawkins, K Fund, Localglobe, London, Spotify, women's health

London-based seed fund LocalGlobe We interviewed partner Julia Hawkins about the opportunities and risks related to femtech investing in light of the fund’s early backing for Ferly, a female-founded startup with a subscription app that describes itself as an audio guide to “mindful sex.” The startup says its mission is to open up conversations around female sexual pleasure and create a place for self-discovery and empowering community — touting “sex-positive” content that it says is “backed by research, written by experts, and personalized to you.” The interview has been edited…