09/11/2020 (Agence Europe) – The representative of the German EU Council Presidency, Thomas Jarzombek, called on MEPs not only to focus on the drawbacks of artificial intelligence (AI) but also to look at the possibilities offered by this new technology. Speaking by videoconference to the Special Commission on AI on Monday 9 November, the Commissioner for Digital Industry at the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that “AI and digitisation are essential for the economy”. In response to a question from Estonian MEP Riho Terras (EPP), the German diplomat expressed support for the idea of creating a “permanent structured cooperation” (PESCO) on AI to accelerate its development. More broadly, the German Presidency of the EU Council will organise a conference on AI and health on 2 December and a conference on facial recognition with the Agency for Fundamental Rights on 14 December. (SPj)