Governing AI during a pandemic crisis: Initiatives at the EU level

Area of Science:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics
• Public Health Crisis Management
• Technology Governance

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic spurred the European Commission (EC) to coordinate a unified European response.
• AI and robotics solutions were identified as critical tools for addressing public health and global crises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine initiatives promoting the adoption of AI solutions from research to implementation.
• To highlight the role of the AI and Robotics solutions repository in disseminating AI knowledge.
• To analyze the acceleration of AI uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of initiatives for AI solution uptake, focusing on the transition from experimental to implemented stages.
• Utilizing the AI and Robotics solutions repository to showcase AI's potential during crises.
• Framing AI solution adoption through a governance lens, emphasizing ethical and trustworthy AI frameworks.

Main Results:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of AI technologies for specific crisis-related tasks.
• The AI and Robotics solutions repository serves as a key platform for knowledge dissemination and technological adaptation.
• Initiatives were established to create governance frameworks for ethical and trustworthy AI.

Conclusions:

• AI holds significant promise for managing public health crises and other global challenges.
• The EC's proactive approach facilitated the integration of AI solutions during the pandemic.
• Establishing robust governance frameworks is crucial for the responsible and ethical deployment of AI.