Politicians call for global AI rules as technology races ahead

There is currently no global regulation of artificial intelligence, but calls for international rules are growing as the technology develops rapidly, DR reports.

“We are in an enormous hurry. We have fallen behind, and we know it when we see how quickly AI is developing,” said Michael Munck, founder of AI company 2021.ai. He has long called for stronger regulation and said existing rules have not kept pace.

Munck said it was not too late to act. His company advises large businesses on AI. He welcomed a proposal for an international watchdog, but warned that excessive bureaucracy could undermine the effort before it gets started.

European Parliament member Christel Schaldemose of the Social Democrats has proposed an AI watchdog to ensure safety standards. She said oversight should be global, rather than limited to the EU, because developments outside Europe could also cause harm. She suggested the body could operate under the United Nations.

Former EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager also called for global regulation, saying technology that could pose a serious danger to humanity must be governed differently from how it is today.

Most advances in AI are currently being made in the United States and China, where prominent figures have warned of serious consequences without limits on development. Munck said it was realistic to bring the two countries into discussions, as they also experience unintended incidents, but questioned whether they would accept an international system that restricted their development. Vestager said uncontrolled AI would threaten China as well as other countries.