The Commission proposal for a new regulation on machinery products is part of a wider 'Artificial intelligence (AI) package'.
The first coordinated plan on AI published in 2018 enabled a vibrant landscape of national strategies and EU funding for public-private partnerships and R&I networks. The comprehensive update of the coordinated plan proposes concrete joint actions for collaboration to ensure all efforts are aligned with the European strategy on AI and the European Green Deal, while taking into account new challenges brought by the coronavirus pandemic.
The new AI regulation will make sure that Europeans can trust what AI has to offer. Proportionate and flexible rules will address the specific risks posed by AI systems and set the highest standard worldwide.
The Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU has decided to request an EESC opinion on one of its priority topics linked to digitalisation. Artificial intelligence is regarded as the most important aspect in digitalisation. Particularly important are also the integration of advanced technologies into society and transition to a gigabit society. With the emerging technologies such as the AI and the data economy, the EU can recover rapidly and become the world’s leading digital society.
The EESC opinion should cover the following topics:
The proposed European Metrology Partnership will build on the European metrology research programme (EMRP) and the European metrology programme on innovation and research (EMPIR). Metrology being the scientific study of measurement, it is a key enabler of economic and social activity. To maintain its competitive leadership in emerging technologies and new product development, by 2030 Europe's metrology solutions need to be at least equal to the top global performers.
This proposal is the first of a set of measures announced in the 2020 European strategy for data.
The EESC welcomes the Commission's proposal for a Data Strategy that sets cross-sectoral data sharing as a priority and to improve the use, sharing, access and governance of data with legislative, sector-specific action. An ambitious Data Strategy can address the critical need to enhance EU data capabilities.
The EESC asks the Commission to strictly monitor progress in the deployment and real use of 5G and calls on the Member States to further accelerate the process and ensure a responsible implementation.
In particular, the EESC believes it is vital to assess the risk profile of suppliers and apply relevant restrictions for suppliers considered to be high risk. In addition, the EESC reiterates its suggestion of having at least two suppliers for each country, at least one of which is European, in order to ensure political security of data and respect for heath requirements.
The EESC recommends that European technological diplomacy be strengthened to enable the EU to ensure more balanced, reciprocal conditions for trade and investment, in particular as regards market access, subsidies, public procurement, technology transfers, industrial property and social and environmental standards.
The EESC welcomes this package of new initiatives in a wide range of areas and advocates a European path to digitalisation by seizing the opportunities for the economy together with the protection of our data to ensure privacy and self-determination.
The EESC welcomes the coordinated plan and calls for urgency in its implementation. To succeed in global competition, the EU must be at the forefront in innovation and investment, following the principle of "human in command" and trustworthiness of AI.
