April 30, 2018

The Commission is proposing a three-pronged approach to increase public and private investment in AI, prepare for socio-economic changes, and ensure an appropriate ethical and legal framework. This follows European leaders’ call for a European approach on AI.

Boosting financial support and encouraging uptake by public and private sectors

The Commission says that the EU (public and private sectors) should increase investments in AI research and innovation by at least €20 billion between now and the end of 2020. To support this, the Commission is increasing its investment to €1.5 billion for the period 2018-2020 under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The Commission will also support the development of an “AI-on-demand platform” that will provide access to relevant AI resources in the EU for all users.

In addition, the European Fund for Strategic Investments will be mobilised to provide companies and start-ups with additional support to invest in AI. With the European Fund for Strategic Investments, the aim is to mobilise more than €500 million in total investments by 2020 across a range of key sectors.

The Commission says that it will also continue to create an environment that stimulates investment. As data is the raw material for most AI technologies, the Commission is proposing legislation to open up more data for re-use and measures to make data sharing easier. This covers data from public utilities and the environment as well as research and health data.

Preparing for socio-economic changes brought about by AI

The Commission says that with the dawn of artificial intelligence, many jobs will be created, but others will disappear and most will be transformed. The Commission is therefore encouraging Member States to modernise their education and training systems and support labour market transitions, building on the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Commission will support business-education partnerships to attract and keep more AI talent in Europe, set up dedicated training schemes and support digital skills, competency in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), entrepreneurship and creativity.

Ensuring an appropriate ethical and legal framework

The Commission will present ethical guidelines on AI development by the end of 2018, based on the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, taking into account principles such as data protection and transparency, and building on the work of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies. To help develop these guidelines, the Commission will bring together all relevant stakeholders in a European AI Alliance. By mid-2019 the Commission will also issue guidance on the interpretation of the Product Liability Directive in the light of technological developments, to ensure legal clarity for consumers and producers in case of defective products.

The Commission intends to start work with Member States immediately to have a coordinated plan on AI by the end of the year. The main aim is to maximise the impact of investment at EU and national levels, encourage co-operation across the EU, exchange best practices, and define the way forward together, so as to ensure the EU’s global competitiveness in this sector. To read the Commission’s press release in full and for a link to the Communication and other relevant documents, click here.