Legal on English AI Terms Dictionary

Right to be Forgotten

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 10:20:32 +0000

Definition

The right to be forgotten enables users to demand the removal of their personal information from databases and AI training sets. Implementing this in machine learning is challenging because models may have memorized patterns from deleted data. Techniques like machine unlearning are being developed to remove the influence of specific data points without retraining the entire model from scratch.

Summary

A legal concept allowing individuals to request the deletion of their personal data held by organizations.

Source Attribution

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 10:16:04 +0000

Definition

Source attribution refers to the systematic tracking and labeling of origins for data, models, or generated outputs within AI systems. It ensures transparency by linking final results back to their foundational inputs, such as training corpora or specific authors. This practice is critical for maintaining intellectual property rights, ensuring ethical compliance, and providing users with verifiable context. By implementing robust attribution mechanisms, organizations can foster trust and accountability in AI-driven environments, particularly when dealing with copyrighted materials or sensitive information.

Right to explanation

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 10:14:22 +0000

Definition

The right to explanation is a core component of algorithmic accountability, particularly within frameworks like the GDPR. It ensures that when an AI system makes a decision impacting a person’s rights or opportunities, such as loan denial or hiring rejection, the individual can understand the logic behind it. This transparency helps prevent discrimination, allows for effective appeals, and builds trust in automated systems by demystifying ‘black box’ outcomes.

Summary

A legal and ethical principle granting individuals the right to receive meaningful information about automated decisions that significantly affect them.

DABUS

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:52:41 +0000

Definition

DABUS is a specific artificial neural network designed to generate novel inventions without direct human intervention. It gained significant legal attention when its creator, Stephen Thaler, attempted to patent inventions generated by the AI, raising complex questions about whether non-human entities can hold intellectual property rights. The case has sparked global debate on AI inventorship and the future of patent law regarding autonomous systems.

Summary

DABUS stands for Device for the Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Sentience, an AI system created by Stephen Thaler that claimed to invent technologies autonomously.

Consent

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:51:40 +0000

Definition

In AI ethics, consent refers to the voluntary and informed permission granted by users or subjects before their personal data is collected, stored, or utilized in machine learning models. It requires transparency regarding how data will be used, potential risks, and the right to withdraw permission. Valid consent is a cornerstone of privacy regulations like GDPR, ensuring that individuals maintain agency over their digital footprint and protecting them from non-consensual surveillance or exploitation by AI systems.

Compliance

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:51:20 +0000

Definition

In artificial intelligence, compliance refers to the process of ensuring that AI models and their deployment align with applicable laws, such as GDPR or HIPAA, as well as internal ethical frameworks. It involves implementing mechanisms for transparency, accountability, and fairness to mitigate risks like bias or privacy violations. Organizations must continuously monitor AI behaviors to maintain regulatory standing and public trust, often requiring audits and documentation of model decisions and data handling practices.