Parallel session on AI Regulation

Recently the EC has issued a consultation in which the need for AI regulation played an important role.  There were 1200 contributions, so 50% more than the Data Strategy consultation. Some 350 companies (the same as data sharing), 400 from citizens (!), and 150 from research institutions. So, AI is really something that keeps citizens busy! Like with data sharing, everybody agrees that the EU should ‘do more’. However, there are highlights. Skills is found very important (89%) to address, also testing facilities (76%) and European Data spaces (75%), Improving existing networks on AI found much support (86%) but a lighthouse research center much less (64%). The section on the risks of AI has been very well addressed by the respondents. This is clearly a concern with many people.

However, the way forward (introduce new regulation, adapt current legislation) is not decided, and there was even less agreement on the identification of high-risk AI applications, how to define them and what to do with them.

The debate on how to move forward with AI applications in terms of requirements, risk, and labelling/certification is clearly still open. In this session we aim to continue the debate and bring it a step further.

The session aims to probe further into the topic ‘AI regulation’ and provide the audience with insights and directions that help them to further shape this EU-wide debate. Specifically, since many of these topics are expected to play a role in the forthcoming Work Programs, the session will create additional links between researchers and practitioners from different backgrounds.

The speakers / panelists will be proposed the following questions: