Google chief urges ‘proportionate’ AI regulation

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BRUSSELS, Jan 20, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – As the EU puts the digital revolution at
the heart of policymaking it should take a “proportional approach” to
regulating artificial intelligence, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google said
Monday.

Pichai, also boss of Google’s parent company Alphabet, argued before an
audience at a Brussels think tank, Bruegel, that companies like his own — an
internet behemoth valued at $1 trillion — need to be given a say as
governments formulate AI regulatory policy.

“All of us have to do this together,” he said. “I think going it alone
won’t work for anyone.”

His pitch comes at an important time. Europe is intent on forging a digital
strategy able to compete with the US and China, both of which are locked in
trade and technology tussles that have ramifications for industries and
consumers around the world.

AI is, along with 5G networks, seen as an area where developments and
applications risk outpacing regulatory measures unless authorities act
swiftly.

In a month’s time, the European Commission is due to present its proposals
on how it wants to tackle AI regulation across the EU.

Pichai urged “a proportionate approach, balancing potential harms with
social opportunities”.

“There is no question in my mind that artificial intelligence needs to be
regulated,” he said, while stressing that Google wants “to offer our
expertise, experience, and tools as we grapple with the inevitable tensions
and trade-offs”.

Later Monday, the Alphabet boss was to meet with two European Commission
vice presidents with powerful roles in deciding AI policy: Frans Timmermans,
spearheading the EU’s fight against climate change, and Margrethe Vestager,
in charge of competition rules and forging “a Europe fit for the digital
age”.

In parallel with the EU’s efforts, the US is also studying what regulations
are needed to address AI, which is predicted to have disruptive effects on
society, especially in terms of jobs, and in determining economic prosperity.

Pichai emphasised that Google had adopted an ethical approach to developing
AI.

He said the company was not offering facial-recognition products for the
time being because — as exemplified by China’s deployment of it as a public
surveillance tool — it is one of the “higher-risk applications” that
governments should look at as a priority.