EC Unveils AI, Data Strategies to Mostly Positive Reviews

A European Commission plan on artificial intelligence and data strategies envisions regulations to unlock business-to-business data; rules on data access and sharing; better infrastructure and platforms to run the data; and sector-specific actions in areas such as healthcare and cities, said European Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton Wednesday at a Brussels briefing. "The battle for industrial data starts now," said Breton. Europe missed the first wave of the data economy -- the use by big U.S. and Chinese platforms of people's personal data -- but it's well-placed to lead the world in trustworthy AI and the data economy because it has the largest, strongest industrial base, he said. Platforms must adapt to Europe, not vice versa, Breton warned: Soft law and shared governance are preferable, but the EC won't hesitate to regulate if platforms don't play ball. A white paper on AI sets out an approach based on excellence and trust,and stresses that high-risk AI systems, such as those involving the healthcare and police systems, must be transparent and under human control. The EC also plans to launch an EU-wide debate on the use of remote biometric identification (facial recognition). Legislation in the form of a digital services act and a European democracy action plan are expected later this year. Comments on the AI white paper are due May 19, and an esurvey on the data strategy is here. Stakeholders generally praised the strategies, with some reservations. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU urged the EU to "collaborate with like-minded partners and remain open to foreign investors that share European values." ITI urged a "collaborative approach to regulation" and avoiding prescriptive policies that could stifle innovation. The European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association, GSMA, Computer and Communications Industry Association and BSA also commented. Privacy advocates and one think tank were more cautious. Consumers can benefit if the EU makes data access for companies easier, but "this must not lead to a race to the bottom and consumers must remain in control of what happens with their personal data," said the European Consumer Organisation. Europe must not allow deployment of mass surveillance and identification technologies without fully understanding their impacts on people, said European Digital Rights. The EU "has chosen the right goal but the wrong tactics," said the Center for Data Innovation. Among other "fundamental flaws," the concept of creating "European data spaces" fosters data localization and other protectionist measures; and the call for a new legislative framework for AI would impose additional regulatory costs on businesses using it, it said.