Possible breach of privacy and civil liberties: US, EU to decide AI code of conduct
The European Union (EU) and the United States have jointly announced their plans to release a voluntary code of conduct for artificial intelligence (AI) to establish unified standards among democratic nations. The increasing concerns surrounding AI, including its potential impacts on privacy and civil liberties, have prompted political and technology industry leaders to address these issues.
Following discussions with EU officials in Sweden, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the urgency for action and stated that Western partners recognize the need for a timely response. They intend to invite “like-minded countries” to join the voluntary code of conduct. Blinken acknowledged the typical lag between the emergence of new technologies and the time required for governments and institutions to legislate or regulate them.
European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager revealed that a draft of the code will be proposed “within weeks.” She emphasized the importance of demonstrating that democracies can effectively address AI challenges and expressed the desire to involve a broad range of countries, including Canada, the UK, Japan, and India, in the initiative.
In a joint statement by the White House and the European Commission, both sides recognized AI as a transformative technology that holds potential for increasing prosperity and equity. However, they also emphasized the need to mitigate its risks. Experts from the EU and the US will collaborate on developing AI standards, trustworthy AI tools, and risk management frameworks.