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Adrian Gonzalez Sanchez called for cooperation between government and the private sector

What do we mean by responsible AI from Microsoft’s point of view and in terms of public-private collaboration? This was the first key theme of the conference “Humans in Charge – Steering the AI Age Responsibly” in Budapest. The keynote speech was given by Adrian Gonzalez Sanchez, university lecturer and Data & AI Lead for Public Sector & Health at Microsoft Spain.

More than progress: revolution

Adrian Gonzalez Sanchez thinks that when it comes to AI, we are not just talking about the development of a technology but also a global societal transformation, and as the pace of innovation is indeed becoming exponential, humans need to keep up. The advance of artificial intelligence, however, is more than just development: to him, it is a revolution.

To substantiate the above statement, he cited some figures about generative AI, the latest stage in the history of AI, from this year’s report by McKinsey & Company. For example, the data show that generative AI could add 4.4 billion times a billion (trillion) US dollars in monetary terms to the global economy, 75 per cent of which would be in customer relations, marketing, sales, software development and research and development. Automation could render 60 to 70 per cent of employee work redundant, while its impact in the banking and insurance sector could amount to $250 to 400 billion.

Microsoft’s AI framework as a recommended model

“We’re facing times when we can leverage very powerful capabilities but, obviously, we can’t be naive when using AI and generative AI. (...)"

"At Microsoft, we’re optimistic also about the corporate and social applications of AI. And we may well be optimistic but we can’t be naive,” Adrian Gonzalez Sanchez pointed out.

The Spanish speaker went on to outline the operating model used at Microsoft to regulate AI processes, and told his audience that this framework could also serve as a point of reference for the public sector, but it should only be implemented step by step.

The Spanish example and the AI sandbox

He reported that in recent years, Spain had developed a national AI strategy and a Spanish AI regulatory authority had been set up to control the field.

He also spoke about Hungary’s EU Presidency in 2024 in the context of the AI Act of the EU. Hungary’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU offers an opportunity to establish the so-called AI Sandbox model of Spain. This is a shared space, a test environment, where government and businesses can work together to meet the requirements of the new AI Act which will soon enter into force.

Finally, as a representative of a transnational company, but also as an academic, he called for action and cooperation.

“We can use the tools that both the governments and private organisations have to make the AI Act comprehensible to society and the companies that apply it. I think there is a lot of room for cooperation, a lot of opportunities for everyone in Europe.”

This speaker

Adrián González Sánchez

Principal Specialist, Cloud, Data & AI for Public Sector, Microsoft

Adrián González Sánchez is the Data & AI Lead for Public Sector and Health at Microsoft Spain, and a university lecturer at HEC Montréal’s École des Dirigeants, and IE University in Spain.

He leads several Responsible AI initiatives at the Spanish Observatory OdiseIA and the Linux Foundation’s Trusted AI Committee.

He is the author of the first Data & AI Fundamentals course of the Linux Foundation, a book author and online instructor for O’Reilly Media, and lecturer for the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC Canada).

More speakers

Speeches

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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 world is nearing consensus on ethical AI, presaged by the anticipated EU AI Act. Questions of creating norms, operationalizing them, and establishing governance structures are central. Leaders are expected to understand AI policy, ethics, and communicate its implications effectively.
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.

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