Tag: artificial intelligence

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Call for strategic investment in AI infrastructure

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The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is urging the European Union to boost its investment in secure connectivity, resilient infrastructure, and supply chains to ensure it stays competitive in the rapidly evolving field of general-purpose AI (GPAI). These measures are seen as essential in maximising the benefits of generative AI in line with European values, needs, and fundamental rights.

In its exploratory opinion on Artificial intelligence/the way forward, in which it focuses on the key aspects of GPAI, the EESC stresses that the dynamism and complexity of AI require ongoing updates to the EU’s AI Act. This adaptability is necessary to create a trustworthy AI environment that reflects the EU’s fundamental rights and values.

While GPAI models are largely technical and apply predominantly in the business-to-business (B2B) sector, their indirect impact on workers and consumers cannot be overlooked. This is why the EESC recommends organising dialogues with key stakeholders, including representatives of employers’ organisations and trade unions, to raise awareness about GPAI and address concerns about workplace codes of practice and workers’ rights. Continue reading “Call for strategic investment in AI infrastructure”

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Integrating AI in the EU public services

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The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted an opinion that aims to safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights in the midst of the implementation of AI technology in public services.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more widespread in society and the digital transition has changed ways of working – including the organisation of work itself. These changes have a significant impact on society, the economy, production and work. Though the development of AI contains potential benefits, it nevertheless raises concerns about the effects it could have on employment levels and working conditions.

Public services are also impacted by this new technology and there are already several cases of public services in the EU using AI. Though AI offers (among others) the possibility to automate complex and repetitive processes and help make public services more accessible to citizens, generative and predictive AI algorithms may (if unchecked) lead to bias. Continue reading “Integrating AI in the EU public services”

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Europe boosts European AI developers with the AI Factories call for proposals

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Today, the Commission has launched a call for setting up AI Factories to boost European leadership in trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI). AI Factories will be created around the EU’s world-class network of European High-Performance Computing (HPC) supercomputers and will be available to a range of European users, such as startups, industry and researchers.

President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said: “Europe is already leading the way with the EU AI Act, ensuring AI is safer and more trustworthy. Earlier this year, we fulfilled our promise by opening our high-performance computers to European AI start-ups. Now, Europe must also become a global leader in AI innovation. AI Factories will help secure our position at the forefront of this transformative technology.”

AI Factories will bring together the key ingredients for success in AI: computing power, data and talent. They will help AI developers train their large generative AI models by using the EuroHPC supercomputers and providing access to data, computing and storage services. The Factories will be networked across Europe, providing a unique European collaborative AI framework. Continue reading “Europe boosts European AI developers with the AI Factories call for proposals”