The EU AI act conceptualises a role for four types of players in deployment of AI models or systems in the European Union: (i) providers , (ii) deployers , (iii) distributors and, (iv) importers .
This categorisation allows the EU AI regulations to deploy varying levels of responsibility for different actors along the AI value chain. The categorisation also allows comprehensive regulation of actors in the AI supply chain minimising regulatory gaps.
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Provider
A provider develops the AI system or general-purpose AI model. The provider can also have an already developed AI system or general-purpose AI model that it places into market or puts the system into service under its own name or trademark.
Who can be a provider?
=> A natural or legal person
. => A public authority
=> An agency or any other body
Does it matter if the model is payment based or free?
No, as long as the entity places into market or puts the model in service under their own name or trademark, paid or free, both AI systems are covered.
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Deployer
A deployer essentially deploys a model developed by the provider. The deployer uses an AI system under its authority.
Who can be a deployer?
. => A natural or legal person
=> A public authority
=> An agency or any other body
Exception: entity using an AI system for personal, non-professional use
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Importer
An importer is any natural or legal person that is located or established in the European Union and places into market an AI system of a third country. The AI system must be placed in the name or trademark of the legal entity established in a third country.
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Distributor
This is a catch-all category. Any legal entity other than the provider or importer that makes an AI system available in European Union is a distributor.
There are three important concepts that emerge from these definitions: (i) placing on the market, (ii) making available on the market, and (iii) putting into service.
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Placing on the market
An AI system or a general-purpose AI model is placed on the market when it is first made available in the European Union.
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Making available on the market
This entails supplying an AI system or general-purpose AI model for distribution or use in the European Union market for a commercial purpose. The definition is agnostic of whether a fees is charged for such use or not.
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Putting into service
A direct supply to the deployer or for own use by the entity supplying the AI system for use in the European Union for its intended purpose.