4 important law changes taking place around the world 

The pace of life in the 21^st century moves very quickly, including the laws that govern us on a day-to-day basis.

The rise of new technology and fears about anti-social behaviour are two driving forces behind several big changes, which authorities intend to put in place to help their citizens stay safe.

But what are these proposed law changes and how will they affect you? Let’s take a closer look at four of the biggest legal developments taking place around the world right now.

1.  Greater control on AI in the EU

The European Union has taken a big step toward regulating artificial intelligence with the adoption of the AI Act. The legislation aims to balance the potential benefits of AI with the need to protect the rights and safety of its EU citizens.

Intellectual property rights are one of its most important areas. AI models often rely on vast amounts of data, including copyrighted content. The EU AI Act forces businesses using AI to make sure their models comply with copyright laws and respect the rights of content creators. Copying other people’s work or using it without permission as part of an AI model is now against the law.

The act also focuses on transparency.  Businesses will need to provide clear information about their AI systems, including how they are trained and how they make decisions.

The act is set to follow a timeline in which the EU will drip-feed regulations into its legal system. Here’s how it looks:

Early 2025: A ban on AI systems that pose an unacceptable risk will come into effect.

May 2025: The EU AI Office will release guidelines for general-purpose AI models.

August 2025: Stricter regulations for general-purpose AI models will come into place.

August 2026: Most of the remaining obligations, including those for high-risk and limited-risk AI systems, will become official.

August 2027: Specific regulations for high-risk AI systems that are part of products subject to other EU regulations will take effect.

Businesses that don’t follow this new regulation face huge fines and legal repercussions.

2. A ban on online gambling advertising

Ever seen an advert promoting a free sports bet or an online casino bonus? This may be about to come to an end very soon, depending on where you live (if it hasn’t already).

In Lithuania, lawmakers recently agreed to ban almost all types of internet betting promotion across the country. The Baltic state is one of the first democratic countries to do so, with Australia and the UK hot on its heels. Currently, operators need licenses to advertise in these two countries.

The new law, which will come into effect next July, aims to protect vulnerable individuals and reduce the negative impact of gambling. Some exceptions will remain for sports-related advertising, but the government has stated its goal to reduce exposure to gambling promotions. It has even allocated funds to support media organizations that may be affected by the loss of advertising revenue.

3. Climate change action

As the climate crisis intensifies, several countries are turning to international courts to seek justice and demand stronger climate action. These are important legal battles and could shape the future of how the world deals with its changing climate issues. 

Some key examples of legal progress that will probably lead to law changes include the European Court of Human Rights ruling that the Swiss government’s climate policies were not enough to protect human rights.

The action was brought about by activists and is one of the first of its kind that could compel a country to adapt its human rights laws for the climate crisis.

Another action was announced by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), which issued an advisory opinion stating that countries have a legal obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect the marine environment.

Both events are signs that countries and organizations are looking to hold polluters accountable for their actions and push for more ambitious climate action.

4. Getting prepared for another pandemic

No, don’t worry, another COVID-19-style crisis isn’t on the horizon…yet. However, In March 2021, a group of world leaders announced an initiative for a new treaty on pandemic preparedness and response. This initiative was taken to the World Health Organization (WHO) and has been negotiated, drafted, and debated by a newly established Intergovernmental Negotiation Body.  

The potential impact of this treaty on global law is significant. It could lead to new international legal obligations, where countries may be required to share health data, invest in pandemic preparedness, and give equal access to vaccines and treatments.

There may be domestic law changes, too, as countries update their legal system to comply with the treaty’s obligations. The WHO would also gain more authority to coordinate international responses to health emergencies, and increased surveillance and data sharing may lead to better monitoring of infectious diseases and faster response times.

Despite these plans, nothing official is yet in place but each day the member states of the WHO move closer to a new treaty that will affect laws across the world.