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Report AIDA Committee of the EU Parliament: “This warning must be heard”

Date

09 Nov 2021

Sections

Science & Policymaking

From VDMA's point of view, the report on artificial intelligence by MEP Axel Voss is a timely warning: the EU must not fall further behind in the global competition for leadership in artificial intelligence. For this, it needs more innovation and less risk aversion.

Brussels/Frankfurt, 9 November 2021 – "The analysis of the situation of artificial intelligence in Europe is correct," says Prof Claus Oetter, Managing Director VDMA Software and Digitalisation, on the own-initiative report of the European Parliament's Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AIDA) presented by MEP Axel Voss (EPP).

"AI is a crucial future technology in global competition and offers numerous opportunities for more sustainability and prosperity. In mechanical engineering, too, AI ensures the global competitiveness of our products," Oetter comments. In order to be able to keep up with other world regions, VDMA believes that the EU must focus much more on the opportunities offered by new technologies: "At present, the EU is placing too much emphasis on the risks and sees itself more as a regulatory pioneer - and not as a location for innovation," warns Oetter. "Thus, there is a danger that the EU will be further left behind. The AI report is therefore an important heads up and we urge the EU Council and the EU Parliament to take these warnings into account when shaping European AI-initiatives, such as the AI-Act which is currently under discussion," emphasises Oetter.

Set only few and lean rules - when needed  

New technologies such as artificial intelligence must comply with EU laws and follow European values. At the same time, the many opportunities, including those of the future, must not be nipped in the bud by over-regulation. "A new technology that is to be adapted by a wide range of companies must be regulated only in a technology-neutral, principle-based and future-proof manner.

This is not always the case with the legislator's plans to date," Oetter notes. "Particularly in mechanical engineering, with its many small and medium-sized companies and many customised applications, expensive and lengthy regulations are poison for innovation. We therefore support lean regulations that rely on manufacturers responsibility and not on costly third-party certification," emphasises Oetter.