EESC calls for a digital revolution with a human face

2019_02_20_Plenary_day_01
SAMM_Ulrich

Citizens' needs and concerns were the focus of the debate on the digital revolution at the February plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), which reaffirmed that the "human in command" principle should always be endorsed.

The current digital revolution has the potential to radically change the way we live, work and communicate, providing long-term benefits in all sectors of the economy and society. However, the other side of the coin is that it also presents risks.

In the opinion drafted by Ulrich Samm, the EESC focuses on citizens' needs and concerns and points out the potential threats that digitisation can bring about in terms of autonomy, responsibility, security, dignity and privacy. Consumers should be supported, as they do not necessarily have the knowledge and professional digital skills to use complex digital systems. Whether it is for home appliances or digital platforms, the individual consumer may struggle for example with user manuals, which can be very long, said Mr Samm. On top of increased transparency in rules, we also need simplification and standardised procedures across the EU to really help the consumer.

  • Autonomy

Digitalisation offers a wealth of new opportunities for people, improving our day-to-day lives in an unprecedented way, but it also presents risks to our autonomy. The more digitalisation dominates our life, the more we can be manipulated, for example when driving cars, choosing food, managing our finances and much more. For this reason, the EESC urges the EU to adopt transparent rules and to adapt and apply them to new and rapidly evolving technologies. It is important to offer training on new skills and to guarantee that people can choose freely (principle of human autonomy).

  • Responsibility

To what extent is it acceptable from a moral point of view to delegate making choices to automated systems? Once again, the Committee stresses that artificial intelligence-based systems have to operate according to the "human in command" principle, which means that only humans can make the final decision and take responsibility for it.

  • Security

The more automated devices we have at home, the more possibilities there are for hackers. As the protection of citizens in their homes is a priority, the EESC believes that consumers should be informed about these risks and supported. This could be done by revisiting existing security regulations and developing strict rules for the new evolving technologies. With reference to road safety, it is essential to step up the introduction of automated driving and digital technology in cars.

  • Dignity

Automation may also mean the use of robotics in the healthcare sector. Robots are by definition unable to replicate the empathic capacities and reciprocity of human relationships and, if not used in line with certain conditions, can undermine human dignity. In this respect, the Committee underlines that care robots should only be used for care tasks requiring no emotional or personal involvement.

  • Privacy

New facial recognition technologies, in particular, represent an issue for our privacy and, as they become cheaper and easily accessible to all, they could eventually lead to a situation where it is no longer possible to walk down the street or go shopping anonymously. The EESC insists that people should have the right to be private in public spaces too and urges the Commission to adapt and regularly revise the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and related regulations accordingly.

The digital transition should benefit everyone, whether we are employees, employers or consumers in general, concluded Mr Samm. It is a transformation made by humans and for humans. The involvement of civil society is key to proactively shaping it, helping European citizens and making it a success story.

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