AI Regulation, Ethics and Governance

THE THIRD PANEL. The world seems to converge by and large on what is considered ethical AI – soon there will be a sweeping range of regulations worldwide that lay down the foundations for it to be enforced, starting with the EU AI Act.

Questions to answer

  • AI Ethics principles may not be universally the same but increasingly overlapping. How do we establish the norms and then ensure reliable operationalizing?
  • The world of AI policy and standardization is booming. What are the major directions, cutting edge best practices, and the towering challenges in this regard that leaders should know about? How can we best communicate the ethical implications of AI to society, make it more graspable in the present tense?
  • How can we come up with the right AI governance structures in large organizations (sometimes with a lot of self-restraint practiced?)
  • In what senses do we consider the coming EU AI Act pioneering, what are your expectations in delivering “the Brussels effect” worldwide and where is room for improvement going forward?

Participants

Levente Juhász

Government Affairs & Public Policy Manager, CEE, Google

He leads on the topics of digital transformation, economic contribution and sustainability on Google’s public policy team for Central and Eastern Europe, and is responsible for government affairs for Hungary, Lithuania and Latvia.

Olivia Erdélyi

Professor, Canterbury & Bonn Universities

Olivia is an internationally recognized expert on AI ethics and policy and consultant with a multidisciplinary background in computer science, economics, law, and political science. She advises governments and organizations.

George Tilesch

Founder & President, PHI Institute for Augmented Intelligence

For over 20 years, George has been active as a cross-sector and cross-industry conduit between Artificial Intelligence ecosystems worldwide and as a trusted advisor for world leaders.

Panel discussions

The panel discussion on 'Responsible AI in Digital Platforms, Telco & Media' focused on AI's role in these sectors and exploring strategies, challenges, and regulatory compliance. The panel comprised experts from Microsoft Spain, PHI Institute for Augmented Intelligence, OpenAI and T-Systems International.
The panelsists – who are internationally renowned AI experts – discussed AI's power as a constructive force but also potential threats and risks. The main focus was on creating awareness regarding AI safety and security, protecting vulnerable populations, particularly the youth, and the role of institutions and defense against AI misuse.
The fourth panel discusses AI-infused government services as a key area for AI introduction in society. Questions revolve around EU political readiness for AI, creating trustworthy AI environments, the role of AI sandboxes, and partnerships between public authorities and AI leaders. The participating panel experts hail from a diverse array of AI-related fields.

Speeches

Prof. Dr. Olívia J. Erdélyi addressed the issue of AI regulation at the "Humans in Charge" conference, noting its current inconsistencies and suggesting the adoption of a risk-based approach like the EU's in the formulation of AI governance. She emphasized the importance of using consistent, scientific terminologies and developing regulations that technical staffs can accurately implement. Erdélyi also suggested AI governance could either be handled by a dedicated regulatory authority or multiple specialized agencies, provided there is coordination and expertise in AI and machine learning.
As Data & AI Lead for Public Sector & Health at Microsoft Spain, he highlighted the need for collaboration between government and private sector in managing AI. He emphasised the transformative potential of AI. Sanchez underscored the importance of a cautious yet optimistic approach, referencing Microsoft's own AI regulation framework. He referenced Spain's progressive national AI strategy and the potential for other EU countries like Hungary to adopt the AI Sandbox model.
At the "Humans in Charge - Steering the AI Age Responsibly" conference, George Tilesch, international expert and PHI Institute for Augmented Intelligence's founding president, emphasized on the convergence of technology, regulation and social inclusion in anticipation of AI Act's implementation. He expressed the vital need for proactive planning and hoped the conference’s insightful discussions would help Hungary prepare for its upcoming EU presidency.
Brando Benifei, Italian Member of the European Parliament and co-rapporteur of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, spoke live via video link to the conference participants. He said that the title of the NMHH conference “Humans in Charge – Steering the AI Age Responsibly” encapsulated perfectly what they wanted to achieve with the new Community legislation: a set of human-centred rules that allow strong human oversight, minimise risks and promote the reaping of the benefits.
Italian researcher and AI4GOV founder Gianluca Misuraca spoke at the "Humans in Charge" conference on AI governance and the vital role of the public sector. He emphasized the importance of managing AI's potential benefits and risks for public services and society. Misuraca noted government's role as AI regulator, user and facilitator, and highlighted the challenge of adopting AI in public services while protecting citizens, especially under uncertain outcomes. He also stressed the need to prepare the workforce for increased AI use.
Maria Luciana Axente, a renowned AI ethics expert and advocate for children's rights, spoke at the "Humans in Charge" conference, focusing on child protection in the digital age. She explored the opportunities AI offers in education and health but warned of its darker side, including reducing human interaction crucial for childhood development. Axente highlighted notable efforts, such as UNICEF's "AI for Children" initiative, designed to answer emerging ethical questions around AI and children's safety.
The President of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority, emphasized the need for collaboration among researchers, developers, and decision-makers for ethical AI development and usage. While AI has great potential to enhance life quality and human efficiency, it also poses significant challenges, particularly with deepfake technologies eroding faith in digital reality. Koltay called for further exploration of the AI's legal implications, data protection, and vital ethical standards.

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