22 May 2024
Randomly select 60 citizens from all four corners of Belgium. Give them an exciting topic to explore. Add a few local players. Season with participation experts. Bake for three weekends at the Egmont Palace conference centre. And you’ll end up with the rich and ambitious views of citizens on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in the European Union.
This is the recipe that has been in progress since February 2024, led by the Belgian presidency of the European Union, with the ambition of involving citizens in this strategic field and enriching the debate on AI, which has been particularly lively in recent months as part of the drafting of the AI Act recently adopted by the European Parliament.
And the initiative really cut the mustard, as the 60 citizens worked enthusiastically, overcoming their apprehensions about a subject as complex as AI. In a spirit of collective intelligence, they dove right into the subject, listening to speakers from academia, government, civil society and the private sector, and sharing their experiences and knowledge. Some of them were just discovering AI, while others were already using it. They turned this diversity into a richness, enabling them to write a report on citizens’ views that reflects the various aspirations of the Belgian population.
The result
At the end of the three weekends, the citizens almost unanimously adopted a precise and ambitious report containing nine key messages focusing on the need for a responsible, ambitious and beneficial approach to AI, ensuring that it serves the interests of all and leaves no one behind.
The citizens’ priorities in a nutshell
1. Work: helping humans without replacing them
AI will bring about a profound transformation in the world of work. The panel stresses the importance of adaptation by individuals, companies and unions. AI must assist humans, not replace them. To achieve this, we need to anticipate retraining needs to avoid exclusion. The time saved through the use of AI, by reducing the workload, must be used for tasks that contribute to innovation, improving well-being at work and enabling a better work-life balance.
2. Learning to live with AI: investing in current and future generations
A critical understanding of AI is crucial, especially for young people. AI must be integrated into education, and students must be taught how to use it responsibly. It’s essential to understand AI in order to be able to keep a critical eye on it. It is also vital to protect original creators.
3. Economic systems and power relations: a new approach?
AI is turning our business model upside down. Today’s monopolies, often non-European, are concentrating power, posing risks for democracy and the EU economy. The EU needs to adapt its economic system to avoid the concentration of power and promote the balanced and competitive development of AI in Europe. This includes taxing AI profits, exploring universal income and encouraging private investment.
4. Scientific research and innovation: unrivalled opportunities
AI offers exceptional opportunities for accelerating research and innovation. It can exceed human capabilities, deliver faster results, and make it possible to test abstract concepts. However, the EU suffers from a brain drain towards countries like the United States, which are investing more heavily in innovation. It’s crucial to encourage AI research in Europe, by investing in universities and companies, and informing the public about AI opportunities, to retain talent.
5. The environment: solutions and ecological footprint
The environmental impact of AI is largely neglected. AI consumes an enormous amount of resources and materials. It is crucial to integrate these impacts into climate objectives. The ‘polluter pays’ approach could be applied to AI, by comparing environmental costs with societal benefits. It’s also important to raise public awareness via an eco-score for applications. Regulations and rewards for low-footprint AI should be considered to encourage sustainable practices.
6. Deepfakes and unreliable information: high risks for people and democracy
AI-generated deepfakes and fake news threaten trust, privacy and democracy, and encourage social polarisation. Such content should be classified as ‘high risk’, contrary to the current provisions of the AI Act. Urgent measures are needed, including sanctions and increased public awareness.
7. The European Union’s global position: demonstrating ambition to invest in, protect and promote European values
The EU must strengthen its strategic position by investing in the development of AI and avoiding the brain drain. Dependence on non-European AI systems threatens European values and standards. The EU must therefore dare to invest, standardise regulations and protect its data against cyberattacks. Swift action and increased cooperation between the public and private sectors are essential to maintain a competitive position and defend European values on the international stage.
8. Global agreements: the European Union must take the initiative
Regulations at European level alone are not enough; the EU must have an influence on a global scale to protect its values. The EU must take the lead on international agreements on the ethics, climate impact and social justice of AI.
9. ‘Human in the loop’ and human contact: two founding principles for the future development of AI
The future of AI lies in integrating humans into the decision-making process and maintaining human contact. Transparency and trust are crucial to its acceptance. In medicine, AI can offer an objective view, but should not replace human clinical judgement. In defence, humans must retain ultimate control despite AI assistance to avoid serious errors.
Source – Belgian EU Presidency