Europe Risks Falling Behind in AI Progress if Emphasis Remains on Ethical Considerations Rather Than Competitive Innovation
The European Parliament is delving into the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI), with a growing belief that Europe can lead in this field by creating more ethical AI systems. This ambition is a common sentiment in Brussels, with Andrus Ansip, former Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, stating that ethical AI could become a competitive advantage for Europe.
The European AI plan aims to develop "AI made in Europe" that is more ethical than AI made anywhere else in the world. The strategy prioritises ethical standards, human dignity, and trustworthy AI solutions, ensuring technology respects human rights and fosters sustainable, responsible innovation. European stakeholders, including the European Commission, the recently established European AI Office, researchers, innovators, policymakers, and industry actors, claim a competitive advantage by promoting these ethical AI systems aligned with Europe’s values and regulatory frameworks.
However, there is no universal consensus on what constitutes ethical AI. The discussion is focusing on the question of what constitutes ethical AI, with most European policymakers more concerned with understanding the "why" of ethical AI rather than defining the "what." This lack of clarity has led to the questioning of assumptions, such as the existence of a market for AI that is ethical-by-design and the disinterest of other countries in AI ethics.
President-elect of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has acknowledged AI's importance, stating that it will be a key component of European digital strategy. As the European Parliament continues to debate the potential risks and benefits of ethical AI for Europe's digital strategy, it is clear that the pursuit of ethical AI is a crucial step towards Europe's goal of becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence.
It is important to note that this belief in Europe's potential advantage in ethical AI is based on several assumptions, which have been criticised as fallacies. These include the assumption of a market for AI that is ethical-by-design, the disinterest of other countries in AI ethics, and a competitive advantage for Europe in producing more ethical AI systems.
As the European Parliament evaluates these assumptions, it is clear that the path to ethical AI is not straightforward. Nevertheless, the commitment to ethical AI is a significant step towards responsible innovation and a digital Europe that respects human rights and values.
