The improvements in AI technologies have led to the development of new products, notably VPA, which can now display relatively high accuracy. Internet giants are leading the pack, leveraging their technological expertise, with direct R&D investments, start-ups acquisitions, and access to their own processing infrastructure. These players have notably popularized VPA among their customer base and their devices (smartphones or dedicating speaker) with no clear competitor in sight.

On 29 November 2017, the European Commission organised an interactive Policy Seminar on Artificial Intelligence in Brussels, attended by over a hundred participants. The seminar was an opportunity for AI experts from businesses, public bodies and renowned research institutes to share their visions and discuss policy recommendations to support the creation of a strong European AI industry. This report presents the key points and priorities raised during the Seminar.

Presentation of the workshop by Laurent Probst, Partner, PwC

Lecture by Dr. Emilia Tantar, COO-Black Swan LUX

Lecture by Dr. Anand S. Rao, Partner, Global Artificial Intelligence Lead- Data & Analytics, PwC

Lecture by Dana Eleftheriadou, Policy Coordinator for Digital Transformation, Directorate‑General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

Lecture by Anne Bajart, Head of Sector for Robotics Industrial Development and Impact, Directorate‑General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology

Lecture by Dr. Emilia Tantar, COO-Black Swan LUX

Lecture by Dr. Andreas Tegge, Head Global Government Relations, SAP AG

The industry is unanimous: AI will change the world and be ubiquitous in tomorrow’s economy. AI major gains are likely to focus on productivity, efficiency, automation  and costs, enabling consumers and businesses to capitalise on the digital economy. However, companies that fail to recognise the advent of AI and respond to them by disrupting themselves, innovating and re-engineering their business models will, at best, lose their competitive advantage, and at worst, disappear.