European AI Policy: Correct Navigation or Off- Course?

On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (CEST), the Center for Data Innovation is hosting a virtual event to discuss the ideas that stakeholders believe the European Commission will include in future AI legislation.

The event will bring together policymakers, experts, and industry representatives, including Janne Elvelid (Policy Manager EU Affairs at Facebook), Renaud Vedel (Prefect and Coordinator of France's national strategy for Artificial Intelligence at the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance), Kees van der Klauw (Coalition Manager at the Netherlands AI Coalition), and Irina Orssich (Team leader AI in the Unit Technologies and Systems for Digitizing Industry at DG Connect, European Commission).

Eline Chivot, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Data Innovation, will serve as the moderator for the discussion.

The event is not focused on providing specific feedback on the EU AI white paper, but rather on assessing its effectiveness and discussing the perspectives of various stakeholders. The white paper, outlining initial policy options, was released by the European Commission.

The purpose of the event is to assess the EU AI white paper's effectiveness in strengthening EU competitiveness and innovation in the algorithmic economy. Stakeholders in the EU AI Act public consultation expressed concerns about ethical and societal implications such as trust, confidentiality, discrimination protection, and professional liability, especially regarding AI applications in sensitive areas like mediation and justice. They emphasize transparency and informed consent when using AI. Many stakeholders see Europe’s competitiveness depending on unlocking AI’s innovation potential, integrating AI into existing industries, and advancing skills and social inclusion to lead globally.

Suggestions for future EU AI legislation include balancing innovation with social safeguards, ensuring data governance frameworks, and promoting privacy-by-design principles within smart city and data-driven governance contexts.

The event will take place on Twitter, with the hashtag #ourwebsite. Participants are encouraged to follow the Center for Data Innovation on Twitter and join the discussion on the event.