Yesterday's roundtable at the H?tel de Beauharnais (German Ambassy), moderated by Chloé Goupille (Secretary General of the AI Action Summit), brought together leading policymakers, academics, and innovators from France and Germany. The event, titled Prelude to the Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence, opened with inspiring keynote speeches by Ambassador Stephan Steinlein and Anke Rehlinger, President of the Bundesrat and Minister-President of Saarland.
Anke Rehlinger emphasized the importance of Franco-German collaboration as a cornerstone of European unity and leadership. She highlighted how the two nations' joint efforts in AI governance and research could set global standards for inclusivity, ethics, and sustainability. Rehlinger also stressed that AI is not merely a technological challenge but a societal transformation, requiring strong political will and shared European values to guide its development.
She pointed to Saarland’s unique position as a bridge between France and Germany, particularly in fostering collaboration in AI research. Rehlinger concluded by calling for deeper integration of ethical and social considerations into AI policy, ensuring that technological progress aligns with democratic values and public trust.
- Inclusivity in Global Governance: Henri Verdier, France’s Ambassador for Digital Affairs, highlighted the need to include more than 100 nations in the conversation on AI governance. He advocated for a more inclusive approach to decision-making that engages emerging economies and smaller states, moving beyond the traditional dominance of a few global powers. His points triggered a lively debate about Europe’s ability to combine inclusivity with technological and regulatory leadership.
- AI’s Impact on the Workforce: Ana Dujic, Director General at the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, provided a compelling overview of how AI is transforming the world of work. She emphasized the urgency of equipping workers with new skills to meet the demands of an evolving economy while calling for safeguards to protect employee rights. Notably, she commended Europe’s progress in banning emotion recognition technologies in the workplace, an essential step for ensuring ethical AI applications.
- Balancing Regulation and Innovation: Henri Verdier argued that regulation, when applied thoughtfully, can foster innovation and equity. However, Bruno Sportisse, CEO of INRIA, stressed the importance of fostering disruptive research and ensuring that Europe competes effectively on the global stage, particularly against well-funded players in the US and China.
- Trustworthy AI and Digital Sovereignty: Prof. Michael Backes, CEO of the Helmholtz Center for Information Security, focused on building secure and transparent AI systems. He pointed out that Europe lags behind in technological investment compared to global competitors and emphasized the need for robust Franco-German cooperation to address this gap. He also highlighted the critical role of cybersecurity and data protection in creating trustworthy AI systems.
- Disruptive Research and Decentralized Models: Bruno Sportisse showcased Europe’s unique potential to lead in developing decentralized AI models and energy-efficient technologies. He stressed that these innovations could not only reduce reliance on centralized infrastructures but also position Europe as a global leader in sustainable AI solutions.
The dialogue underscored the vital role of the Franco-German partnership in addressing AI's ethical, regulatory, and technological challenges. This event sets the tone for deeper discussions at the forthcoming Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence, where global perspectives will converge to shape the future of AI governance.
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1 个月Thank you Marie Sellier for this smart summary of the evening