Esken wants an AI regulator

SPD leader Saskia Esken is calling for the creation of a supervisory authority for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Germany. “Because data handling plays an important role in oversight, a data protection and freedom of information officer can be a good choice,” said the digital politician at dpa. “In any case, we need an authority that assesses whether the use of artificial intelligence follows the law.”

Esken emphasized that artificial intelligence has great potential, for example for fairer education, better medical care, and more efficient administration. “But of course there are risks in it, as in all technologies.” It’s good that Germany and Europe are not only ahead of them technologically, but also when thinking about how to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.

“Ban in case of greatest danger”

The European Union is on its way to putting in place a regulation for regulation. “In the most severe cases, the use of AI models can be banned,” Esken said. “In less, but still high-risk areas, a final human decision can be issued – and of course the possibility of appeal, that is, to file a case if I think the decision is not justified.”

In Esken’s view, you have to be careful that the AI ​​doesn’t learn to distinguish from the state of the data. She explained, “If AI were to analyze the career paths of journalists in media companies, for example, it might come up with the idea of ​​hiring only men because the most successful professions to date have been made by men.” “We need to ensure that training data is freed from such discrimination or that gender does not play a role in selection.”

(dpa)