1,385 research outputs found
Artificial Intelligence in the European Union: policy, ethics and regulation
No full textopen access book chapterIn the context of recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and launch of AI policy documents and ethics guidelines around the world, since 2017, the European Union (EU) is developing its approach to AI. This chapter examines the key EU AI policy documents and the way the EU is positioning its AI policy vis-à-vis other global players. It draws on ‘Europe as a power’ debate and in particular on the concepts of Normative Power Europe and Market Power Europe to examine if in its approach to AI the EU prioritizes its norms or rather its market power. In the EU policy documents the elements of both normative and market power are closely intertwined. The EU attempts to project itself globally as a Normative Power Europe promoting its value-based and human-centric approach based and ethics guidelines for Trustworthy AI. These are closely connected with the EU’s ambitions to be a Market Power with appropriate regulation and investments which could also support implementation of its values and norms
The Governance of dual-use research in the EU: The case of neuroscience
No full textThis is open access chapter, published under creative commons licenceRecently, major research powers around the world have made unprecedented investments in neuroscience as one of the most promising technologies of the twenty-first century. However, advances in neuroscience can be used for beneficial as well as harmful purposes. This chapter analyses the governance of dual-use research in the EU by focusing on the main EU-funded neuroscience project and one of the large-scale international brain initiatives – the Human Brain Project. It shows how this project has developed its governance approach that goes beyond the European Union (EU) Framework Programme definition of dual-use and incorporates concepts of dual-use research of concern, Responsible Research and Innovation as well as political, security, intelligence and military issues. The resulting approach supports the governance of dual-use research that is based on anticipation, reflection, engagement and action as well as involving contributions from researchers, stakeholders and citizens. The chapter demonstrates how the Human Brain Project is overcoming challenges of limitations of the dual-use definition used in the EU Framework Programme, issues of awareness and education and questions of global collaboration. Lessons learned and good practices developed can be relevant for other international brain initiatives as well as research projects in other disciplines
Self-Organisation and Steering in International Research Collaborations
No full textopen access book chapterAs international collaboration within the scientific community is increasing, for scientific and political reasons, it is necessary to deepen our understanding of tension between self-organising and steering. To do so, this contribution contrasts two in-depth case studies of international collaboration in nanosciences. Tracing the emergence and evolution of collaboration helps identify relevant dimensions of self-organisation and steering by analysing scientists’ freedom to act and the influence of grant agencies on collaborative topics, types of research, partners, and modes of interaction. While existing literature indicates that self-organisation leads to productive collaborations and steering can be problematic and trigger the emergence of ‘artificial collaborations’, insights from the case studies here reveal that self-organisation and steering are intertwined, and both can have positive and problematic effects. Self-organisation allows freedom to choose collaborators and topics but can provide limited opportunities for learning from diverse collaborators and for expansion due to lack of resources. Steering can not only provide resources for larger and more diverse collaborations but can also entail compromises on topics and collaborators as well as considerable administrative burdens. Rather than being in tension with each other, self-organisation and steering in successful collaborations can reinforce each other, allowing collaborations to grow
Against the new space race: Global AI competition and cooperation for people
No full textThe file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.This Open Forum contribution critically interrogates the use of space race rhetoric in current discussions about Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to this rhetoric, similar to the space race of the 20th century, AI development is portrayed as a rivalry among superpowers where one country will win and reap major benefits, while others will be left behind. Using this rhetoric to frame AI development tends to prioritize narrow and short-term economic interests over broader and longer-term societal needs. Three particularly problematic aspects of using space race narrative in AI discussions are highlighted: first, perceiving technology development globally as a zero-sum game; second, pressuring governments to regulate less; and third, prioritising high technologies over social issues. This contribution invites to challenge underlying political assumptions of the AI space race discourse and to open up conversations about alternative futures
Introduction - technologies and European Integrations
No full textThis introductory chapter to the technology section provides an overview of complex relationships between technologies and European integrations. First, it highlights that in European integration literature the term ‘technology’ is often in multiple ways typically without explicit reflection on its meaning. While the term technology is frequently used in instrumental ways, this chapter emphasizes political, social, and cultural aspects of technology. Second, the chapter outlines three modes of European integration relevant for technology: first, ‘hidden integration’ of technology as infrastructure; second, integration outside the treaty framework, and, third, integration of technology policy within the EU. Finally, the chapter concludes with some questions for future research on mutual shaping of technologies and European integrations
Intersectionality in Artificial Intelligence:Framing Concerns and Recommendations for Action
No full textWhile artificial intelligence (AI) is often presented as a neutral tool, growing evidence suggests that it exacerbates gender, racial, and other biases leading to discrimination and marginalization. This study analyzes the emerging agenda on intersectionality in AI. It examines four high‐profile reports dedicated to this topic to interrogate how they frame problems and outline recommendations to address inequalities. These four reports play an important role in putting problematic intersectionality issues on the political agenda of AI, which is typically dominated by questions about AI’s potential social and economic benefits. The documents highlight the systemic nature of problems that operate like a negative feedback loop or vicious cycle with the diversity crisis in the AI workforce leading to the development of biased AI tools when a largely homogenous group of white male developers and tech founders build their own biases into AI systems. Typical examples include gender and racial biases embedded into voice assistants, humanoid robots, and hiring tools. The reports frame the diversity situation in AI as alarming, highlight that previous diversity initiatives have not worked, emphasize urgency, and call for a holistic approach that focuses not just on numbers but rather on culture, power, and opportunities to exert influence. While dedicated reports on intersectionality in AI provide a lot of depth, detail, and nuance on the topic, in the patriarchal system they are in danger of being pigeonholed as issues of relevance mainly for women and minorities rather than part of the core agenda
Ever-Changing Big Science and Research Infrastructures: Evolving European Union Policy
No full textThis chapter analyzes ongoing European Union (EU) policy changes that affect Big Science and Research Infrastructures. These changes are part of a broader EU political agenda to strengthen the EU’s global position, facilitate growth and enhance coordination among EU member states. Important initiatives for Big Science and Research Infrastructures include the launch of large-scale research projects, support for e-infrastructures and the development of EU policy towards Research Infrastructures in the framework of the European Research Area initiative. To illustrate these EU policy changes, the chapter uses the example of the Human Brain Project – a large-scale research project that is turned into a research infrastructure. The chapter demonstrates that EU policy for Research Infrastructures supports a model of differentiated integration where a number of EU member states and non-members collaborate. While this model has the advantage of bringing together countries interested in particular Research Infrastructures, it can also present challenges when supranational projects are turned into Research Infrastructures
Emerging technology for economic competitiveness or societal challenges? Framing purpose in Artificial Intelligence policy
No full textopen access articleThis study examines the policy discussions surrounding the purpose of the development and use of an emerging technology. It applies the two stylized technology policy frames of economic growth and societal challenges to analyse framing of one of the key emerging technologies today—Artificial Intelligence (AI). It demonstrates that recent AI policy documents include both—economic growth as well as societal challenges—frames. While AI is a novel technology, its recent policy builds on traditional ideas about the role of technology in facilitating economic growth and competitiveness supported by well-known measures such as investment in research and highly skilled workforce. Additionally, AI policy draws on more recent frame on the contribution of technology to addressing societal challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals but presents AI as a technological solution to complex societal issues. While some interest in addressing both economic and social objectives in AI policy can be observed, the policy documents remain silent about their compatibility
Politics and policy of Artificial Intelligence
No full textWhile recent discussions about Artificial Intelligence (AI) as one of the most powerful technologies of our times tend to portray it as a predominantly technical issue, it also has major social, political and cultural implications. So far these have been mostly studied from ethical, legal and economic perspectives, while politics and policy have received less attention. To address this gap, this special issue brings together nine research articles to advance the studies of politics and policy of AI by identifying emerging themes and setting out future research agenda. Diverse but complementary contributions in this special issue speak to five overarching themes: understanding the AI as co-shaped by technology and politics; highlighting the role of ideas in AI politics and policy; examining the distribution of power; interrogating the relationship between novel technology and continuity in politics and policy; and exploring interactions among developments at local, national, regional and global levels. This special issue demonstrates that AI policy is not an apolitical field that can be dealt with just by relying on knowledge and expertise but requires an open debate among alternative views, ideas, values and interests.</p
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