Introduction to the Foundations and Regulation of Generative AI

Chapter by Philipp Hacker, Andreas Engel, Sarah Hammer and Brent Mittelstadt: “… introduces The Oxford Handbook of the Foundations and Regulation of Generative AI, outlining the key themes and questions surrounding the technical development, regulatory governance, and societal implications of generative AI. It highlights the historical context of generative AI, distinguishes it from traditional AI, and explores its diverse applications across multiple domains, including text, images, music, and scientific discovery. The discussion critically assesses whether generative AI represents a paradigm shift or a temporary hype. Furthermore, the chapter extensively surveys both emerging and established regulatory frameworks, including the EU AI Act, the GDPR, privacy and personality rights, and copyright, as well as global legal responses. We conclude that, for now, the “Old Guard” of legal frameworks regulates generative AI more tightly and effectively than the “Newcomers,” but that may change as the new laws fully kick in. The chapter concludes by mapping the structure of the Handbook…(More)”