After the break, delegates agreed to focus more on the topic of competitiveness in the AI technology industry. As we all know the economic issues of any topic seem to weight the most. This promised to open up a more controversial debate. Especially Germany, Austria and Finland agreed on the importance of equal conditions within the EU. Meaning the urge of implementing a shared proposal on the approach of artificial intelligence in all member states. They acknowledge that restrictions on the background of high ethical standards could decrease competitiveness, nevertheless they emphasize the significance of installing a counterbalance to worldwide dominating monopoles in order to protect consumers.
On the contrary, the seeming group of allies Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland rather want to focus on a worldwide approach. They fear if there won’t be an international solution including global players like China and the US, they will fall behind in the competition. Implementing more rules will eventually cause more barriers to the market and will make the EU less attractive to foreign direct investment and research of AI within the EU. Following that Hungary calls for a fair balance between ethical and economical aspects being considered in the negotiations. Furthermore, the Republic of Ireland points out that support of private sectors is necessary so the EU can exceed worldwide.
To switch things up a little, the delegates moved on to the topic binding of AI implementation. Clarifying their different positions regarding to what extend and how strict the implementations should be, were important in order to build further alliances. While most of the Western European States are rather in favor of more binding commitments, especially Poland stood out with their position.
Poland strongly objects to a new EU body to overview the regulations. Any proposal including strict supervision through the European Union will most likely not be supported by Poland and its followers.
Whereas the Republic of Ireland states if the newly drafted proposal is not mandatory it does not help, they demand to form a body within the European Commission in order to ensure an implementation of the common proposal. This guarantees to cause further fruitful debates.
The delegates started to work on their outcome documents. Monitoring the process, one could clearly see the delegates switching up into two divisions. Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia were trying to go their own way – which means fewer binding regulations.
Surprisingly, today only one working paper was submitted. Most of the present delegations such as the Germany, Finland, Ireland seemingly agreed on a common draft, without a counterproposal. Maybe the committee dinner helped to build an unknown connection or the alliance behind Poland will try to vote out every clause they do not agree with.