Partnership between the EU and India on AI matters is important

For the next segment, Mr. Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and Rapporteur of the AI Act, shared a video message on the fears surrounding the rise of AI usage and on the flexibility of the AI Act in the EU.

Mr. Benefei, in his virtual address, reiterated the importance of protecting the creativity and rights of creative media professionals, which can be done to a large extent by adopting clear rules about data transparency. He also touched upon the topic of AI-generated content, like many of our esteemed panelists, and how data labeling or transparency could curb the spread of misinformation or fake news.

He also elaborated that the AI Act is a right step in the direction of creating trust within people and organizations about the use of AI. By implementing regulations that mitigate risks when it comes to cybersecurity issues, poor data usage for training AI, and also the lack of human oversight, they can build trust in AI and ensure that its usage remains ethical and responsible. He added, “We are also taking steps to prohibit certain dangerous AI practices, such as emotional recognition in workplaces and the unregulated use of biometric cameras, which could lead to mass surveillance and infringements on personal freedoms”.

He also spoke about his recent participation in the Paris AI Summit, where he had the opportunity to interact with members from other countries, including India. And while he thinks that not every country needs to adopt the same level of laws and regulations, he is a firm believer in finding common ground with others, especially when it comes to key issues like transparency in labeling AI-generated content and protecting the netizens from the spread of misinformation. Mr. Benefei also encouraged international cooperation on the topic of AI safety - where global risks such as cybersecurity threats and the use of AI in the military are concerned.