The European Commission said it wants to develop a “framework for trustworthy artificial intelligence.”

The EU on Wednesday set out its proposals for regulation of AI and positioning of the region as a global powerhouse and flagbearer for ethical regulation of technology. (News18)

In “A Europe Fit for the Digital Age,” the EU’s strategies for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data aim to encourage businesses to work with, and develop, these new technologies, while at the same time making sure that they earn citizens’ trust.

The strategy is an initiative by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She had ordered her team to present a coordinated European approach to artificial intelligence and data strategy within 100 days after she took office in December.

“We will be particularly careful where essential human rights and interests are at stake,” von der Leyen told reporters. “Artificial intelligence must serve people, and therefore artificial intelligence must always comply with people’s rights.”

High Risk AI

In her speech, von der Leyen made it clear that AI must always be subservient to human beings and their rights.

“This is why a person must always be in control of critical decisions,” she said.

‘High-risk AI’, that is AI that potentially interferes with people’s rights, would have to be tested and certified before it enters the European Single Market, von der Leyen said.

Data, data, and more data…

She also stressed the importance of using unbiased data in AI applications. “The algorithm is as smart as the data you feed it,” von der Leyen stressed.

She also pointed out that Europe had a huge cache of valuable data. “We want to create European data spaces where businesses, governments, and researchers can not only store their data but also have access to other data they need for their innovation.”

White paper on AI

The European Commission produced a white paper on AI that proposed a European approach to excellence and trust.

“We want every citizen, every employee, every business to stand a fair chance to reap the benefits of digitalization,” said Executive Vice-President for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager. “Whether that means driving more safely or polluting less thanks to connected cars; or even saving lives with AI-driven medical imagery that allows doctors to detect diseases earlier than ever before.”

However, the Commission seeks transparent, traceable and a guarantee of human oversight in high risk-AI applications. These include health, police, and transportation.

“For lower-risk AI applications, the Commission envisages a voluntary labeling scheme if they apply higher standards,” the press statement said.  “All AI applications are welcome in the European market as long as they comply with EU rules.”

On facial recognition, the Commission proposed a debate on the use of remote biometric identification. It would permit its use in only exceptional and duly justified circumstances.

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