Artificial Intelligence

02INTRODUCTION

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to systems that display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions – with some degree of autonomy – to achieve specific goals.

European leaders have put AI at the top of their agenda. On 10 April 2018, 24 EU Member States and Norway committed to working together on AI. Building on this strong political endorsement, efforts are made to ensure that Europe is competitive in the AI sphere, that no one is left behind in the digital transformation, and that new technologies are based on values. The European Council of October 2017 stated that the EU needs a sense of urgency to address emerging trends such as AI "while at the same time ensuring a high level of data protection, digital rights and ethical standards". The Council also invited "the Commission to put forward a European approach to artificial intelligence".

Among other goals, the European initiative on AI aims to boost the EU's technological and industrial capacity and AI uptake across the economy, both by the private and public sectors. This includes investments in research and innovation and better access to data.