MEPs call for an EU strategy on data, data access and cybersecurity with regard to autonomous mobility.
This is the thrust of the initiative resolution on self-driving vehicles that they adopted on 15 January. The day before, the Parliament’s Industry Committee had adopted a draft resolution on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
Artificial intelligence, and in particular the driverless car, is developing very rapidly. In April 2018, the European Commission adopted an action plan identifying the main projects to be carried out in the field of artificial intelligence (see EUROPE 12009). This action plan was followed, in December 2018, by a coordinated plan with the Member States to develop artificial intelligence ‘made in Europe’ (see EUROPE 12155).
But MEPs want to move even faster. The resolution on autonomous vehicles in European transport, prepared by Wim van de Camp (EPP, Netherlands), emphasises the innovative potential of all autonomous means of road, rail, water and air transport.
However, the text calls for a “clear regime governing liability” for interactions between vehicles, infrastructure and road users (see EUROPE 12168). On the issue of data, the final text incorporates the amendment tabled in the parliamentary committee by the political groups to the right of the political spectrum, which calls for a “strategy” on data. On the left, the groups were more in favour of legislative action (see EUROPE 12143).
The draft non-legislative report, adopted on 14 January by the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), recognises a great potential for AI and robotics in the manufacturing, health, energy and transport sectors.
MEPs recommend encouraging investment and developing appropriate training programmes, while ensuring that an ethical framework (including the need for explanation) is respected. They therefore call for rules to increase the accountability and transparency of the algorithmic decision-making systems that underpin AI.
This text will be submitted to the Parliament’s plenary session in February. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)