S&D Group Vice-President responsible for digital affairs,
Josef Weidenholzer, said:
“The rapid expansion of robotics and artificial intelligence is
going to profoundly change how we live and work in the coming
years. This can bring huge benefits, helping us live longer and
more enriching lives. The EU has huge potential in robotics and
artificial intelligence (AI): talented engineers and
entrepreneurs, motivated research centres, a large consumer
market. The plan released today by the Commission is a step in
the right direction, but is not enough.”
S&D MEP and author of the Parliament’s report on artificial
intelligence, Mady Delvaux, said:
“As I said in my report last year, this is an opportunity the EU
has to grasp immediately to ensure it is setting the global
standard, not following it. We are already seeing different
member states across Europe adopting national legislation which
has endangered our cohesion and risks fracturing our market. We
wanted to see bold proposals from the Commission, to put the EU
at the forefront of this rapidly developing area.
“On the positive side, we are pleased with the creation of the EU
Alliance on AI gathering different stakeholders to monitor the
development of these new technologies and the creation of a
Charter on Ethics. Both of these follow calls from Parliament’s
report last year. New money for investment in industry and
research and development is also to be welcomed. We do not have
same level of funding as the US or China and this needs to be
rectified.
“Despite some positive, the European Commission proposals did not
go far enough in various aspects. On liability, the Commission
has repeated its nice words but not come forward with any clear
legislative proposal. If we want to lead the world in this area,
we need a clear framework in which to operate. This is also the
same for the social effects of the rise of AI, we wanted more
from the Commission in terms of helping those left behind, not
just more studies and expert panels.
“The European Commission has promised to come forward with
legislative packages next year but this is already getting too
late. Europe needs to take the lead now.”
