Commission appoints expert group on AI and launches the European AI Alliance

The Commission has appointed 52 experts to the new High Level Group on Artificial Intelligence. The Group, consisting of representatives of academia, business, and civil society, will support the implementation of the EU Communication on Artificial Intelligence published in April 2018.

The High-Level Expert Group will make recommendations on how to address mid-and long-term challenges and opportunities related to artificial intelligence (AI). The recommendations will feed into the policy development process, the legislative evaluation process and the development of a next-generation digital strategy. The Group will also prepare draft ethics guidelines that will build on the work of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies and of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights in this area. The guidelines will cover issues such as fairness, safety, transparency, the future of work, and more broadly the impact on upholding fundamental rights, including privacy and personal data protection, dignity, consumer protection and non-discrimination. The draft guidelines will be finalised by the end of the year and presented to the Commission at the beginning of 2019.

Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel emphasised the importance of the Group’s contribution to shaping the future of AI in Europe:

“Artificial intelligence brings huge potential benefits, but also challenges, and therefore it is essential to involve all actors, including from academia, business, and civil society. I am confident that, together, we will ensure that AI systems are developed for good and for all, respecting our values and fundamental rights.”

The High-Level Expert Group will additionally support the Commission in building a broad community of stakeholders through the European AI Alliance. The Alliance and its online platform were launched today. Everyone interested in AI can become a member to address all aspects of AI in discussions, blogs, documents and events. The Alliance’s input will be included in the Group’s recommendations. The Group’s proposed ethics guidelines will also be submitted for consultation with the members of the Alliance through the dedicated platform and a series of workshops.

The High-Level Expert Group will meet for the first time on 27 June 2018. Other planned events include other meetings, such as joint meetings with representatives of the Member States, specialised workshops, and consultation with the European AI Alliance. The list of members and all other relevant documents, including the agendas, the minutes and the participants’ submissions, will be made available via the Commission’s Register of Expert Groups.

Article Source: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/commission-appoints-expert-group-ai-and-launches-european-ai-alliance