Artificial intelligence and the digital transformation must be inclusive and generate benefits for all Europeans, including vulnerable groups. At the high-level conference on Artificial intelligence, robotics and digital services for the wellbeing of citizens, organised by the EESC in Helsinki on 21 November 2019 in cooperation with the Finnish EU Presidency and the Finnish Ministries of Social Affairs and Health and Transport and Communications, EESC members reaffirmed that people must remain at the core of new technological developments. Ariane Rodert, president of the EESC Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT), underlined that artificial intelligence was one of the main political priorities of the EESC's current presidency and said: Artificial intelligence must be developed in a safe, unbiased way and, above all, must be in keeping with the values of the EU. We need to ensure that artificial intelligence and its applications promote people's wellbeing and empowerment, with due respect for fundamental rights. On the same wavelength was Pierre Jean Coulon, president of the EESC Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN), who declared: Digitalisation is everywhere: in health, transport and energy, and it affects the lives of everyone.

The first Stakeholder Summit on Artificial Intelligence, organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission, stressed that the EU must ensure that artificial intelligence is safe, unbiased and in line with European values. The event, which aimed to discuss the next steps to advance the EU strategy on artificial intelligence, took place on 18 June in Brussels. The key EU policy-makers on artificial intelligence and European stakeholders who gathered for the first stakeholder summit agreed that artificial intelligence held great promise in terms of addressing societal issues, but also raised a number of challenges with regard to privacy, security, labour, education and ethics. "Artificial intelligence is a technology which does not have to overcome and overwhelm us," said Catelijne Muller, President of the EESC Thematic Study Group on Artificial Intelligence, adding that humans should stay in command of artificial intelligence and be able to determine "if, when and how we want to use these technologies in our daily lives." Artificial intelligence is one of the main political priorities of the EESC's current presidency.

There are increasing calls for government oversight of artificial intelligence development. Artificial intelligence (AI) promises to have a huge and positive impact on our world – but, it also brings with it complex issues that we have never had to face as a society before. AI sounds alarm bells for some people, who are frightened that AI will bring about a real threat to humanity, learning our worst traits, intensifying inequalities and triggering weapons of mass destruction. Others believe AI will take people's jobs and discriminate against the vulnerable in society. Kevin Kelly, author and founder executive editor of Wired believes these anxieties are deep rooted because they link our intelligence to our identity, but that they can be overcome.

The EU must pursue a policy that ensures the development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe in favor, and not conducive to the detriment, acts of society and social welfare, the Committee said in an initiative opinion on the social impact of AI which 11 fields are identified for action. "We have a human need in-command approach to artificial intelligence, with machines remain machines and people always maintain control of these machines" said rapporteur Catelijne Muller (NL – Workers' Group). She was not just about technical check: "People can and must decide whether, when and how AI is used in our daily lives, what tasks we entrust to AI and how transparent and ethical is all. Eventually, we decide whether we want that certain activities are carried out, care or medical decisions are made by AI, and whether we want to accept that our AI security, privacy and autonomy might be jeopardized," said Mrs. Muller. Artificial intelligence has recently undergone rapid growth.

The EU must adopt policies for the development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe in such a way as to ensure it works for, rather than against, society and social well-being, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) said in an own-initiative opinion on the societal impact of AI, identifying 11 areas that need to be addressed. "We need a human-in-command approach to AI, where machines remain machines and people retain control over these machines at all times," said rapporteur Catelijne Muller (NL – Workers' Group). She did not refer to technical control alone. "Humans can and should also be in command of if, when and how AI is used in our daily lives – what tasks we transfer to AI, how transparent it is, if it is to be an ethical player. After all, it is up to us to decide if we want certain jobs to be performed, care to be given or medical decisions to be made by AI, and if we want to accept AI that may jeopardise our safety, privacy or autonomy," Muller argued.

Today, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is going to debate its stance in the European discussion on AI and will express conflicting views on certain issues, especially on the question of legal personality for robots. The report, which has been drawn up by a Dutch rapporteur, Ms Catelijne Muller, member of the Workers' Group, will be debated at the EESC's plenary in Brussels on 31 May. You can also download and read referral related documents about the consequences of artificial intelligence on the (digital) single market, production, consumption, employment and society here. "Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies offer the potential for creating new and innovative solutions to improve people's lives, grow the economy, and address challenges in health and wellbeing, climate change, safety and security. Like any disruptive technology, however, AI carries risks and presents complex societal challenges in several areas such as labour, safety, privacy, ethics, skills and so on. A broad approach towards AI, covering all its effects (good and bad) on society as a whole, is crucial. Especially in a time where developments are accelerating."