Communication on Fostering a European approach to Artificial Intelligence

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 21 April 2021, providing an overview to a legislative package on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Further information:

The 2018 European Strategy on Artificial Intelligence forecast the increasing impact of AI on the way people live and work over the years. It presents a number of potential benefits and it has demonstrated its versatility across different fields of action. At the same time, its use carries certain risks and may lead to mistakes that may undermine fundamental rights and safety, as well as democratic processes.

Faced with the rapid technological development of AI and a global policy context where more countries are investing heavily in AI, the European Commission put forward a two-pronged policy - to make the European Union (EU) a world-class hub for Artificial Intelligence, while ensuring that AI is human-centric and trustworthy. The Commission's 2020 White Paper on Artificial Intelligence set out a vision for AI in the EU: an ecosystem of excellence and an ecosystem of trust.

This Communication - published by the European Commission on 21 April 2021 - provides an overview to a package of measures which include proposals for:

• Regulation laying down harmonised rules on Artificial Intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act);
• Regulation on machinery products.

The 2021 Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence (AI) was also published as an annex to this Communication.

• Primary Source

• Alternative Source

Commentary and Analysis

NewScientist: Analysis, 15/04/2021: Can the European Union prevent an artificial intelligence dystopia? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2274720-can-the-european-union-prevent-an-artificial-intelligence-dystopia/

The Conversation, 21/04/2021: EU is cracking down on AI, but leaves a loophole for mass surveillance https://theconversation.com/eu-is-cracking-down-on-ai-but-leaves-a-loophole-for-mass-surveillance-159421

Mozilla: Blog, 21/04/2021: Mozilla reacts to publication of EU’s draft regulation on AI https://blog.mozilla.org/netpolicy/2021/04/21/mozilla-reacts-to-publication-of-eus-draft-regulation-on-ai-2/

Euronews: Views, 22/04/2021: EU's new artificial intelligence law risks enabling Orwellian surveillance states https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/22/eu-s-new-artificial-intelligence-law-risks-enabling-orwellian-surveillance-states-view

The Economist, 24/04/2021: The EU wants to become the world’s super-regulator in AI https://www.economist.com/europe/2021/04/24/the-eu-wants-to-become-the-worlds-super-regulator-in-ai

Euro|topics, April 2021: How good is the EU's plan for AI regulation? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/260162/

Brookings Institution: Techtank Blog, 26/04/2021: The EU path towards regulation on artificial intelligence https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2021/04/26/the-eu-path-towards-regulation-on-artificial-intelligence/

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News

Bloomberg, 13/04/2021: EU Set to Ban Surveillance, Start Fines Under New AI Rules https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-13/eu-poised-to-set-ai-rules-that-would-ban-surveillance-scoring

Politico, 14/04/2021: Europe eyes strict rules for artificial intelligence https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-strict-rules-artificial-intelligence/

The Verge, 14/04/2021: The EU is considering a ban on AI for mass surveillance and social credit scores https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/14/22383301/eu-ai-regulation-draft-leak-surveillance-social-credit

EurActiv, 14/04/2021: Commission to ban ‘indiscriminate surveillance’ in leaked AI plans https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/commission-to-ban-indiscriminate-surveillance-in-leaked-ai-plans/

Reuters, 16/04/2021: EU urged to ban 'discriminatory' AI tools that detect gender or sexuality https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL8N2M86XH

BBC News, 21/04/2021: EU artificial intelligence rules will ban 'unacceptable' use https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-56830779

The New York Times, 21/04/2021: Europe Proposes Strict Rules for Artificial Intelligence https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/business/artificial-intelligence-regulation.html

Politico, 21/04/2021: Europe throws down gauntlet on AI with new rulebook https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-throws-down-gauntlet-on-ai-with-new-rulebook/

TechCrunch, 21/04/2021: Europe lays out plan for risk-based AI rules to boost trust and uptake https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/21/europe-lays-out-plan-for-risk-based-ai-rules-to-boost-trust-and-uptake/

VOA News, 21/04/2021: European Union Moves to Regulate Artificial Intelligence https://www.voanews.com/europe/european-union-moves-regulate-artificial-intelligence

EurActiv, 21/04/2021: EU launches AI blueprint in bid to become world leader https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/commission-launches-ai-package-proposal/

Deutsche Welle, 21/04/2021: EU unveils rules on artificial intelligence https://p.dw.com/p/3sK16

Associated Press, 21/04/2021: EU outlines ambitious AI regulations focused on risky uses https://apnews.com/article/5226382bb316f8aad4cbc5637f03a44c

Euronews, 21/04/2021: 'The higher the risk, the stricter the rule': Brussels' new draft rules on artificial intelligence https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/21/the-higher-the-risk-the-stricter-the-rule-brussels-new-draft-rules-on-artificial-intellige

France24, 21/04/2021: EU unveils AI rules to temper Big Brother fears https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210421-eu-unveils-ai-rules-to-temper-big-brother-fears

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Official

European Commission: A European approach to Artificial intelligence https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/european-approach-artificial-intelligence

EPP Group: Newsroom, 14/04/2021: Make Europe frontrunner in Artificial Intelligence rules https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/news/make-europe-frontrunner-in-artificial-intelligence-rules

European Commission: Press Release, 21/04/2021: Europe fit for the Digital Age: Commission proposes new rules and actions for excellence and trust in Artificial Intelligence https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_1682

European Commission: New rules for Artificial Intelligence – Questions and Answers (21 April 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_21_1683

European Commission: Speech by Executive Vice-President Vestager at the press conference on fostering a European approach to Artificial Intelligence (21 April 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_21_1866

Renew Europe Group: Newsroom, 21/04/2021: Artificial Intelligence in Europe: transparency and accountability to citizens https://reneweuropegroup.eu/en/news/1876-artificial-intelligence-in-europe-transparency-and-accountability-to-citizens/

S&D Group: Newsroom, 21/04/2021: No Big Brother in Europe! AI rules must defend citizens’ private lives and data, say S&Ds https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/newsroom/no-big-brother-europe-ai-rules-must-defend-citizens-private-lives-and-data-say-sds

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