  The evolution of AI is set to profoundly reshape the future. The European
Union, recognizing this impending prominence, has enacted the AI Act,
regulating market access for AI-based systems. A salient feature of the Act is
to guard democratic and humanistic values by focusing regulation on
transparency, explainability, and the human ability to understand and control
AI systems. Hereby, the EU AI Act does not merely specify technological
requirements for AI systems. The EU issues a democratic call for human-centered
AI systems and, in turn, an interdisciplinary research agenda for
human-centered innovation in AI development. Without robust methods to assess
AI systems and their effect on individuals and society, the EU AI Act may lead
to repeating the mistakes of the General Data Protection Regulation of the EU
and to rushed, chaotic, ad-hoc, and ambiguous implementation, causing more
confusion than lending guidance. Moreover, determined research activities in
Human-AI interaction will be pivotal for both regulatory compliance and the
advancement of AI in a manner that is both ethical and effective. Such an
approach will ensure that AI development aligns with human values and needs,
fostering a technology landscape that is innovative, responsible, and an
integral part of our society.
