Technology: Esken wants regulator for artificial intelligence

SPD leader Saskia Esken advocates the establishment of a supervisory authority for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Germany. “Because the handling of data plays an important role in supervision, the officer for data protection and freedom of information could be a good choice,” said the digital politician at the German Press Agency. “In any case, we need an authority that assesses whether the use of AI 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 also dangers in it, as in all technologies.” It is good that Germany and Europe are not only at the forefront technologically, but also when considering how to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.

“Ban in case of highest risk”

The European Union is on the way to developing a regulation for regulation. “In the highest risk case, the use of AI models could be banned,” said Esken. “In fewer, but still risky areas, a human final decision could be given – and of course the possibility of appealing, i.e. suing against if I think a decision is unjustified.”

From Esken’s point of view, you have to be careful that artificial intelligence does not learn discrimination from the data situation. “If artificial intelligence were to analyze the career paths of journalists in media companies, for example, it might come up with the idea of ​​only hiring men because the most successful careers have so far been made by men,” she explained. “We need to ensure that training data is freed from such discrimination or make sure that gender does not play a role in the selection.”