Portugal to focus on adopting first EU artificial intelligence law - minister

Under the Portuguese chairmanship of the Council of the European Union (EU), Portugal will focus on adopting the first EU law on artificial intelligence, based on transparency and respect for users' rights, and also expects cooperation with the US administration. "We attach great importance to the legal framework for artificial intelligence. It is now clear that artificial intelligence is the basis for enhanced productivity and has great potential for growth," said Pedro Siza Vieira, the economy minister. Speaking via videoconference in the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee on the priorities of the Portuguese presidency of the Council of the EU, he stressed that "the standards of society and individuals should be respected in the area of artificial intelligence and the algorithms involved. For this reason, Portugal will focus on adopting this first legal framework at EU level for artificial intelligence, which should be based on a "transparent framework, taking into account the risks involved and protecting the EU's values, on issues such as human rights and privacy, among others", he said.