BRUSSELS – June 26, 2019 - BSA | The Software Alliance welcomes the release of the Policy and Investment Recommendations by the European Union’s High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The document is an important addition to the global discourse on trustworthy AI.

BSA supports the HLEG’s recommendation to take a risk-based and sectoral approach to future regulatory activities on AI. The range and multifaceted uses of AI mean that these cutting-edge technologies must be considered according to their context and purpose in a complex legislative landscape.

The HLEG’s request to the European Commission to conduct a thorough analysis of existing legislation already covering many aspects of AI is therefore a necessary step to ensure that the EU fosters innovative technologies. BSA supported such an endeavor in a recent BSA policy submission to the HLEG on AI.

BSA also cautions against prescriptive action in the space of data ownership and sharing. “Many AI tools are in the development phase, and their advancement depends on sound data innovation policies. Excessively pervasive data-sharing requirements could be counterproductive to enabling the development and deployment of cutting-edge software solutions,” said Thomas Boué, BSA Director General, Policy – EMEA.

“BSA looks forward to working with the European Commission in implementing many of the excellent recommendations put forward by the HLEG on AI. Our members are enthusiastic supporters of infrastructure development, stronger STEM education, and workforce development activities,” Boué added.

To learn more about BSA’s AI initiatives, visit bsa.org/AI.