4. Predicting Crime Based Only on Personal Characteristics

 

AI cannot be used to predict whether someone will commit a crime based solely on their personality, appearance, or personal characteristics.

Such systems can reinforce discrimination and unfair treatment.

Law enforcement must always rely on evidence and human judgement, not assumptions generated by AI.

 

5. Untargeted Collection of Facial Images

 

The mass collection of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage to build facial recognition databases is generally prohibited.

People should not have their biometric data collected without appropriate legal safeguards.

Protecting privacy is one of the core principles of EU AI Act.

 

6. Emotion Recognition in Certain Situations

 

The use of AI to detect emotions in workplaces or educational settings is generally prohibited.

Although emotion recognition technology continues to develop, scientific evidence about its reliability remains limited.

Using AI to evaluate employees or students based on facial expressions or voice patterns raises serious ethical concerns.

 

7. Biometric Categorisation Using Sensitive Characteristics

 

AI systems must not classify people according to sensitive characteristics such as:

• race or ethnic origin
• political opinions
• religious beliefs
• sexual orientation

These practices create significant risks of discrimination and unfair treatment. Every individual deserves equal respect regardless of personal characteristics.

 

 

Many prohibited AI practices interfere with fundamental rights. These include:

• privacy
• human dignity
• equality
• freedom of expression
• non-discrimination

AI should help society—not undermine these rights.

The purpose of regulation is not to stop innovation but to ensure that innovation remains trustworthy and responsible.

 

What Does This Mean for Horizon Europe Projects?

 

Many Horizon Europe projects develop innovative AI solutions.

Researchers often focus on technical performance, but ethical and legal compliance must be considered from the very beginning.

Projects should:

• assess whether AI applications could affect fundamental rights
• identify possible ethical risks early
• avoid developing prohibited AI functionalities
• involve ethics experts when necessary
• document compliance throughout the project

This approach supports Ethics by Design, where ethical considerations are integrated into research and innovation from the earliest stages.

 

The Role of an Ethics Advisor

 

An Ethics Advisor helps project partners understand AI-related ethical requirements before problems arise.

This includes:

• reviewing proposed AI applications
• identifying prohibited or high-risk AI practices
• supporting compliance with the EU AI Act
• advising on privacy and data protection
• helping prepare ethics documentation for Horizon Europe projects

Early ethics support can prevent delays, reduce compliance risks, and strengthen public trust in research.

Building trustworthy AI begins with respecting human dignity, protecting fundamental rights, and ensuring that technology always serves people—not the other way around.