Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence – EC Library Guide: Selected documents

Selected preparatory 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.
Coordinated plan on artificial intelligence 2021 review | European Commission

Annex to COM/2021/205 final

The 2021 Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence, published in April of that year, builds on the collaboration established between the Commission and Member States during the 2018 Coordinated Plan.

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It sets out the strategy to: accelerate investments in AI technologies to drive resilient economic and social recovery aided by the uptake of new digital solutions; act on AI strategies and programmes by fully and timely implementing them to ensure that the EU fully benefits from first-mover adopter advantages; align AI policy to remove fragmentation and address global challenges.
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 Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on adapting non-contractual civil liability rules to artificial intelligence (AI Liability Directive) | European Commission

COM/2022/496 final

This explanatory memorandum accompanies the proposal for a Directive on adapting non-contractual civil liability rules to artificial intelligence (AI). In a representative survey of 20201, liability ranked amongst the top three barriers to the use of AI by European companies. It was cited as the most relevant external obstacle (43%) for companies that are planning to, but have not yet adopted 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.
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on machinery products | European Commission

COM/2021/202 final

The Machinery Directive (MD) establishes a regulatory framework for placing machinery on the Single Market, based on Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The general objectives of the MD are to: i) ensure free movement of machinery within the internal market; and ii) ensure a high level of protection for users and other exposed persons.

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The MD follows the ‘new approach’ principles of EU legislation. It is intentionally written to be technology neutral, which means that it lays down the essential health and safety requirements to be complied with, without prescribing any specific technical solution to comply with those requirements. The choice of the technical solution is a prerogative of manufacturers, which leaves space for innovation and new design development.
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.