Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, Bias and Fairness – EC Library Guide

Selected documents

EU law: Selected documents

Artificial Intelligence for Europe | European Commission

COM/2018/237 final.

This Communication sets out a European initiative on AI.

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The strategy aims to: boost the EU's technological and industrial capacity and AI uptake across the economy, both by the private and public sectors; prepare for socio-economic changes brought about by AI by encouraging the modernisation of education and training systems, nurturing talent, anticipating changes in the labour market, supporting labour market transitions and adaptation of social protection systems; ensure an appropriate ethical and legal framework, based on the Union's values and in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.
Building trust in human-centric artificial intelligence | European Commission

COM/2019/168 final.

To address the challenges and make the most of the opportunities which AI offers, the Commission published a European strategy 1 in April 2018. The strategy places people at the centre of the development of AI — human-centric AI. It is a three-pronged approach to boost the EU’s technological and industrial capacity and AI uptake across the economy, prepare for socio-economic changes, and ensure an appropriate ethical and legal framework.

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Building on its reputation for safe and high-quality products, Europe’s ethical approach to AI strengthens citizens’ trust in the digital development and aims at building a competitive advantage for European AI companies. The purpose of this Communication is to launch a comprehensive piloting phase involving stakeholders on the widest scale in order to test the practical implementation of ethical guidance for AI development and use.
Coordinated plan on artificial intelligence | European Commission

COM/2018/795 final.

Artificial Intelligence is developing fast. It will change our lives by improving healthcare, increasing the efficiency of farming, contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, improving the efficiency of production systems through predictive maintenance, increasing the security of Europeans, and in many other ways that we can only begin to imagine. At the same time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) entails a number of potential risks, such as opaque decision-making, gender-based or other kinds of discrimination, intrusion in our private lives or being used for criminal purposes.

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In its strategy on AI for Europe, the Commission proposed to work with Member States on a coordinated plan on AI by the end of 2018, with the aim to maximise the impact of investments at EU and national levels, encourage synergies and cooperation across the EU, exchange best practices and collectively define the way forward to ensure that the EU as a whole can compete globally. The proposal of a coordinated plan built on the declaration of cooperation on AI launched in April 2018 at the Digital Day and signed by all Member States and Norway. It was endorsed by the European Council in June 2018.
Fostering a European approach to artificial intelligence | European Commission

COM/2021/205 final.

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

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Faced with the rapid technological development of AI and a global policy context where more and more countries are investing heavily in AI, the EU must act as one to harness the many opportunities and address challenges of AI in a future-proof manner. To promote the development of AI and address the potential high risks it poses to safety and fundamental rights equally, the Commission is presenting both a proposal for a regulatory framework on AI and a revised coordinated plan on AI.
Proposal for a Regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence | European Commission

COM/2021/206 final.

The Proposal for a Regulation on artificial intelligence was announced by the Commission in April 2021. It aims to address risks of specific uses of AI, categorising them into 4 different levels: unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk, and minimal risk.

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In doing so, the AI Regulation will make sure that Europeans can trust the AI they are using. The Regulation is also key to building an ecosytem of excellence in AI and strengthening the EU's ability to compete globally. It goes hand in hand with the Coordinated Plan on AI.
Recommendations to the Commission on a framework of ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, robotics and related technologies | European Parliament

OJ C 404, 6.10.2021.

European Parliament resolution of 20 October 2020 with recommendations to the Commission on a framework of ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, robotics and related technologies.
Report on the safety and liability implications of artificial intelligence, the Internet of things and robotics | European Commission

COM/2020/64 final

Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics will create new opportunities and benefits for our society. The Commission has recognised the importance and potential of these technologies and the need for significant investment in these areas. It is committed to making Europe a world-leader in AI, IoT and robotics. In order to achieve this goal, a clear and predictable legal framework addressing the technological challenges is required.
White Paper on artificial intelligence - a European approach to excellence and trust | European Commission

COM/2020/65 final.

Artificial Intelligence is developing fast. It will change our lives by improving healthcare, increasing the efficiency of farming, contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, improving the efficiency of production systems through predictive maintenance, increasing the security of Europeans, and in many other ways that we can only begin to imagine. At the same time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) entails a number of potential risks, such as opaque decision-making, gender-based or other kinds of discrimination, intrusion in our private lives or being used for criminal purposes.

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Against a background of fierce global competition, a solid European approach is needed, building on the European strategy for AI presented in April 2018. To address the opportunities and challenges of AI, the EU must act as one and define its own way, based on European values, to promote the development and deployment of AI.