On Tuesday, Margrethe Vestager, the EU's tech chief, announced that the European Union and the United States are preparing to enhance their collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI). Their objective is to establish a set of minimum standards in AI prior to the enforcement of legislation.
With new regulations on facial recognition and biometric monitoring, the European Union's AI Act may be the first complete legislation in the world overseeing the technology. However, EU countries and lawmakers still require agreement on a uniform language..
The European Commission vice-president Vestager stated at a briefing on Tuesday that the process might be finished before next year.
She mentioned that this would create a time gap of one to two years before it takes effect, emphasizing the need for an interim solution during that period.
Vestager highlighted that artificial intelligence (AI) will be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming fourth ministerial-level meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Sweden on May 30-31. The discussions will specifically delve into generative AI algorithms, which have the capability to generate new text, visual, or sound content, including examples like ChatGPT.
She expressed a mutual sense of urgency, emphasizing the importance of implementing safeguards to maximize the potential of this technology. She posed the question of discussing the minimum expectations from companies prior to the enforcement of legislation, indicating a proactive approach to ensure responsible AI practices.
On Saturday, the G7 leaders issued a call for the establishment of technical standards to ensure the trustworthiness of artificial intelligence (AI). They urged international discussions to address crucial topics including governance, copyrights, transparency, and the potential threat of disinformation related to AI. This collective appeal reflects their recognition of the need for coordinated efforts to navigate the challenges and promote responsible development of AI technology.
Vestager stated that these international discussions had not yet taken place. She is scheduled to discuss AI with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday. The appropriate ministers were entrusted by the G7 leaders to form a G7 working group on AI before the end of the year.
She expressed her belief that meaningful discussions within the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) can contribute to making the G7 process more tangible and practical. By engaging in dialogue within the TTC, they can explore actionable steps and initiatives to support the goals set by the G7 in the realm of AI.