EU and AI
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Artificial intelligence (AI) can help find solutions to many of society’s problems. This can only be achieved if the technology is of high quality, and developed and used in ways that earns peoples’ trust. Therefore, an EU strategic framework based on EU values will give citizens the confidence to accept AI-based solutions, while encouraging businesses to develop and deploy them. |
This is why the European Commission has proposed a set of actions to boost excellence in AI, and rules to ensure that the technology is trustworthy.
The Regulation on a European Approach for Artificial Intelligence and the update of the Coordinated Plan on AI will guarantee the safety and fundamental rights of people and businesses, while strengthening investment and innovation across EU countries.
Building trust through the first-ever legal framework on AI
| The Commission is proposing new rules to make sure that AI systems used in the EU are safe, transparent, ethical, unbiased and under human control. Therefore they are categorised by risk: |
Unacceptable |
| Anything considered a clear threat to EU citizens will be banned: from social scoring by governments to toys using voice assistance that encourages dangerous behaviour of children. |
High risk |
They will all be carefully assessed before being put on the market and throughout their lifecycle. |
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Limited risk |
| AI systems such as chatbots are subject to minimal transparency obligations, intended to allow those interacting with the content to make informed decisions. The user can then decide to continue or step back from using the application. |
Minimal risk |
| Free use of applications such as AI-enabled video games or spam filters. The vast majority of AI systems falls into this category where the new rules do not intervene as these systems represent only minimal or no risk for citizen’s rights or safety. |
New rules for providers of high-risk AI systems
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Step 1
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Step 2
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Step 3
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Step 4
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A high-risk AI system is developed |
It needs to undergo the conformity assessment and comply with AI requirements For some systems a notified body is involved |
Registration of stand-alone AI systems in an EU database |
A declaration of conformity needs to be signed and the AI system should bear the CE marking. The system can be placed on the market |
If substantial changes happen in the AI system's lifecycle, go back to Step 2 |
Once the AI system is on the market, authorities are in charge of the market surveillance, users ensure human oversight and monitoring, while providers have a post-market monitoring system in place. Providers and users will also report serious incidents and malfunctioning.
Boosting excellence in AI
In 2018, the Commission and EU Member States took the first step by joining forces through a Coordinated Plan on AI that helped lay the ground for national strategies and policy developments.
The 2021 update of the Coordinated Plan on AI brings strategy into action and is aligned with the Commission’s digital and green twin priorities, as well as Europe’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Fostering AI excellence from the lab to the market, the Coordinated Plan puts forward a vision to accelerate investments in AI, to act on AI strategies for their timely implementation and to align AI policies EU-wide.
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Key policy objectives: |
As part of these efforts, the Commission plans to set up:
- A Public-Private Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics to define, implement and invest in a common strategic research innovation and deployment agenda for Europe
- Additional Networks of AI Excellence Centres to foster exchange of knowledge and expertise, develop collaboration with industry and foster diversity and inclusion
- Testing and Experimentation Facilities to experiment and test state-of-the-art technology in real-world environments
- Digital Innovation Hubs, one-stop shops to provide access to technical expertise and experimentation, so that companies can "test before invest"
- An AI-on-demand Platform as a central European toolbox of AI resources (e.g. expertise, algorithms, software frameworks, development tools) needed for industry and public sector uses
EU-funded projects in AI
The EU has already funded a variety of AI projects offering solutions in all areas of society, from agriculture to healthcare, manufacturing, or transport.
Three examples of areas where the use of AI technology has been particularly beneficial are health, environment and in the fight against disinformation.
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Neuro-rehabilitation assisting recovery of COVID-19 intensive care patients |
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Smart sensors to help feed growing world population |
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Online tools for fact-checking and debunking |
Benefits of artificial intelligence
The EU has the potential to become the global leader in safe artificial intelligence. By developing a strong regulatory framework based on human rights and fundamental values, the EU can develop an AI system that benefit people, businesses and governments.
AI and EU in figures
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€1 billionThe Commission plan to invest €1 billion per year in AI from its Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programmes. -
€20 billionThe aim is to attract more than €20 billion of total investment in AI per year in the EU over this decade. The Recovery and Resilience Facility will help speeding up investments and go beyond this aim. -
> 25% of all industrial and personal service robots are produced in Europe.