EU Commission president announces legislation on ethical implications of AI

The incoming European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed commitment to new ‘legislation for a coordinated European approach on the human and ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence’ (AI). The announced legislation is a part of the political guidelines for the next European Commission 2019-2024. The guidelines emphasise von der Leyen’s focus on ‘grasping opportunities from the digital age within safe and ethical boundaries’. Next to the legislation on ethical implications, von der Leyen announced several other points for Europe’s digital future, among which are 5G, AI, digital economy and education agenda. She further aims to refocus the European Union into an instrument that advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, also in regard to digital development. The new legislation on ethical AI is set to be put forward by the end of her first 100 days in office.