MEPs on the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Digital Age (AIDA) debated, on Thursday 13 January, amendments to the draft report on AI (see EUROPE 12844/22).
The different political groups in the European Parliament differed on some aspects, such as the articulation of the future regulation on AI with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
German rapporteur Axel Voss (EPP) said that particular attention should be paid to data, as AI “in its current form” cannot “exist without relying on a considerable amount of data”. “The GDPR is an old text, we have to ensure flexible data processing”, he added.
On the other hand, some MEPS, such as Damian Boeselager (Greens/EFA, Germany), said that the ‘GDPR’ dossier should not be reopened in the context of this report.
In addition, some MEPs stressed the risks of discrimination inherent in AI. “We must ensure that AI systems do not recreate the same discrimination in the digital system that we experience in life”, Mr Boeselager stressed.
In addition, some MEPs, such as ECR member Geert Bourgeois, insisted on the need to use private funding for the development of AI.
“I think that several of my amendments can strengthen the report. We must not forget the importance of private investment. This represents 80% in China and the US and barely 4% in the EU”, he summarised.
Still on the subject of competition with third countries, Iban García del Blanco (S&D, Spain) advocated for the adoption of AI to be used not to “fight against other countries” but to “strengthen diplomacy and build bridges” between different stakeholders. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)