Civil Law Remedies as Tools for Regulatory Guidance and Enforcement of the EU AI Act:A Study on the Prohibition on the Exploitation of Vulnerabilities
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This article explores how civil litigation can complement regulatory enforcement under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act’s prohibition on exploiting vulnerabilities (Article 5(1)(b)). It examines ambiguities and enforcement challenges surrounding AI systems that target vulnerable individuals or groups, using online betting advertisements as a case study. The analysis argues that public authorities lack the capacity to address these complex risks effectively. Drawing on Spanish legal traditions, notably the 1908 Usury Repression Act, the article proposes that private civil actions—particularly collective remedies—can guide administrative intervention. It advocates a collaborative model where private enforcement informs regulatory practice, clarifying the scope of vulnerability exploitation.
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