Panelist Ben Dias

Ben Dias

EasyJet

United Kingdom

Ben Dias is the director of data science and analytics at EasyJet. He has 20 years of industry experience, with previous roles at Royal Mail, Tesco, and Unilever. His current focus is building and leading data teams and applying the lean startup approach to AI within large organizations. Dias actively engages with the U.K. mathematics community to help inspire the next generation of mathematicians and AI professionals. He also strives to ensure that AI solutions drive more equity and inclusion rather than exacerbating existing biases and inequalities. Dias holds a doctorate in computer vision and a master’s degree in mathematics and astronomy, both from University College London.

Voting History

Statement	Response
Organizations will be ready to meet the requirements of the EU AI Act as they phase in over the next 12 months. Neither agree nor disagree	“Some elements of the EU AI Act will come into effect at various stages, with bans on prohibited practices applying within six months. Therefore, some basic obligations will start to apply in 2024, which some organizations may not be prepared for. While most of the prohibitions outlined in the act may not be relevant to most organizations, the use of AI in recruitment and monitoring employees’ well-being, and biometric AI usage will apply to most organizations. Most will be considered “deployers,” generally incurring fewer obligations unless they deploy a high-risk AI system. However, if an organization modifies a purchased high-risk AI system, it may then take on the role of a provider, leading to significantly more responsibilities. AI system suppliers may also amend their contracts, potentially shifting some of their compliance responsibility and liability to their customers. Therefore, all organizations will need to establish processes to ascertain whether any of their AI systems will be subject to this regulation. However, despite this new regulation, organizations must continue to comply with existing laws like GDPR, consumer legislation, and competition law for routine operations.”

Statement

Response

Organizations will be ready to meet the requirements of the EU AI Act as they phase in over the next 12 months. Neither agree nor disagree

“Some elements of the EU AI Act will come into effect at various stages, with bans on prohibited practices applying within six months. Therefore, some basic obligations will start to apply in 2024, which some organizations may not be prepared for. While most of the prohibitions outlined in the act may not be relevant to most organizations, the use of AI in recruitment and monitoring employees’ well-being, and biometric AI usage will apply to most organizations. Most will be considered “deployers,” generally incurring fewer obligations unless they deploy a high-risk AI system. However, if an organization modifies a purchased high-risk AI system, it may then take on the role of a provider, leading to significantly more responsibilities. AI system suppliers may also amend their contracts, potentially shifting some of their compliance responsibility and liability to their customers. Therefore, all organizations will need to establish processes to ascertain whether any of their AI systems will be subject to this regulation. However, despite this new regulation, organizations must continue to comply with existing laws like GDPR, consumer legislation, and competition law for routine operations.”