On 30 September and 1 October, the virtual POLITICO Artificial Intelligence Summit, co-hosted by the former Belgian Federal Minister Philippe De Backer, gathered political leaders, policy experts and representatives of the business sector to discuss key topics related to privacy, digital competition and automation in industries, the creation of an international framework, the implementation of AI as well as its regulation at a global level.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and Commissioner of Justice Didier Reynders were among the guest speakers of this event.

In a one-on-one interview, Executive Vice-President Vestager outlined Europe’s plans for AI based on industrial data as well as data sharing, face recognition and internal cooperation. She stressed that a legal framework that gives legal certainty for businesses is needed to embrace a trustworthy and ethical AI scheme in Europe. She noted:

“Trust and innovation are intertwined: trust promotes innovation.”

Moreover, Vestager underlined that facial recognition in surveillance technology poses concerns to fundamental rights and therefore restrictions are needed. 

Commissioner Reynders participated in an opening interview on the second day of the summit where he explained Europe’s approach to protecting fundamental rights and consumers when it comes to the applications of AI. He stressed that the European Commission is working on a risk-based analysis to determine the opacities and risks of using AI.

Investments in education and skills are needed to ensure a better development and use of AI in Europe, he underlined.

So happy to be at the hybrid #POLITICOAI live event! Great issues to be discussed @NicholasVinocur - the use of facial recognition, export control, the risk of biases in data and how to deal with it. All to enable us to make the most and best of AI. pic.twitter.com/TurV23dLhC

— Margrethe Vestager (@vestager) September 30, 2020

Today at the #AI Summit @EventsPOLITICO, I explained how we will make sure that the development of AI is safe, fully respects fundamental rights, and contributes to equality. We will also make sure to have clear and strong rules if anything goes wrong. pic.twitter.com/ME43CftAYh

— Didier Reynders (@dreynders) October 1, 2020