The Netherlands and the United Nations have initiated a collaborative effort aimed at equipping Europe’s national agencies with the necessary skills to oversee artificial intelligence (AI). This undertaking, which has the backing of the European Commission, precedes the anticipated enactment of the AI Act, comprehensive legislation set to regulate AI usage across Europe.
Within the framework of this project, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will compile data concerning the current AI supervision approaches in European nations and compile a collection of recommended “best practices.”
The Dutch digital infrastructure agency (RDI) will be assisting UNESCO in communicating and meeting with national working groups from around Europe, including a first meeting on Thursday in The Hague.
“What we learn here, I promise you, is going to be informing many discussions that are happening at the very same time everywhere around the world,” said UNESCO’s Gabriela Ramos as reported by Reuters.
UNESCO has been an important voice in debates on AI, with ethical guidelines it put forward in 2021 adopted by all 193 member states, though they are not legally binding.
Nathalie Berger, director at the European Commission service that helps states enact reforms, said the AI Act will be passed this year, but it will take an additional two years to come into full force.
“Supervision is absolutely key to make sure that everything works well in practice,” she said.
