The European Commission will increase its investment in artificial intelligence (AI) by another 1.5 billion euros for the period 2018-2020, hoping this will lead to additional private financing of €2.5 billion.
The aim is to stimulate the public-private sector to invest in research and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence and as a result to achieve together more than EUR 20 billion investment by the end of 2020, the European Commission announced.
In the AI field, Europe has researchers, laboratories and start-ups at world class level. The EU also has strong positions in the area of robotics and is in leading global position in regard to the field of transport, health and manufacturing sectors, which should implement AI technology in order to remain competitive. However, strong international competition requires coordinated action so that the EU can be at the forefront of the introduction of an AI in these sectors.
The Commission proposes a three-way approach: increasing financial support and promoting public and private use; preparing for socio-economic changes in regard to the implementation of AI and adopting an appropriate ethical and legal framework.
In line with the Declaration of Cooperation signed by 24 Member States and Norway on 10 April 2018, the Commission and Member States were launched to draw up a coordinated AI plan by the end of the year. The Commission will also continue to invest in key AI initiatives, including in the development of more efficient electronic components and systems (such as chips, specially designed for the operation of the AI), world-class computers, and flagship projects in the field of quantum technologies and “mapping” of the human brain.
As with any other revolutionary technology, some applications of artificial intelligence can rise new ethical and legal issues related to responsibility or possible biased decision-making. New technologies should not mean new values is pointed out by Brussels.
