Brussels, 24 January 2024
The European Commission has today adopted a Communication outlining its strategic vision to foster the internal development and use of lawful, safe and trustworthy Artificial Intelligence systems. With this, the Commission anticipates and prepares internally for the implementation of the EU AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive law on AI. It includes concrete actions about how the Commission will build institutional and operational capacity to ensure safe, transparent, and human-centred use of AI in its work. The Commission is also preparing to work with EU public administrations in their adoption and use of AI, and with innovative startups and GovTech companies.
In line with the key actions of this strategic approach the Commission commits to developing internal operational guidelines for safe, trustworthy and lawful use of AI. These will equip staff with clear and pragmatic guidance how to put AI systems in operation. It will classify and assess existing and future AI systems used by the Commission by applying a risk-based approach, as outlined in the AI Act. The Commission will make sure that all AI systems used are compatible with European values and do not represent a threat to the security, safety, health, and fundamental rights of people.
In addition, the Communication puts in place organisational governance structures to fulfil the Commission’s obligations in relation to AI. They will facilitate the adoption of trustworthy AI in compliance with the AI Act, once adopted, assess AI aspects in new IT investments, support and monitor compliance with the internal operational guidelines and support a broad ‘bottom up’ network of interested staff. To unlock the full potential of AI as a tool to assist its staff and to support human-centred policy making, Commission staff will receive the guidance and training they need to become skilled users of AI.
Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn said:
“Artificial intelligence has become an area of strategic importance for the Commission as for many other organisations. With the Communication on Artificial Intelligence at the Commission we set the safeguards necessary to make best use of the huge opportunities that AI offers for our institution – to the benefit of our staff and of good policy making. We are intensifying our efforts to foster its safe and ethical usage while addressing the risks it may pose, in full alignment with the EU AI Act.”
Source – EU Commission