Comments on the draft regulation on AI

AI EU
The European Commission's recent proposal for a regulation on harmonized rules for artificial intelligence has provoked a lot of reaction.

In a blog post, Lars Lundberg, IT&Telecom's business policy expert with a focus on AI, wrote that the proposed regulation contains many ambiguities and shortcomings that risk having a negative impact on Swedish and European innovation capacity and competitiveness, and also impose major additional costs on industry, academia and the public sector.

Ying ChengYing Cheng, founder and CEO of Arkus AI, a Stockholm-based startup that applies artificial intelligence to clinical genetics and healthcare, thinks there are both upsides and downsides to the proposal.

- It is a very complex and comprehensive proposal of over 100 pages. I am impressed by the effort that has been made. I think it is good to have common rules for all EU countries as it enables start-up companies like Arkus AI to cooperate across borders with the same conditions. The downside for smaller companies is that we don't have the muscle required to familiarize ourselves with all the rules to be followed. It becomes an extra burden for us," says Ying Cheng.

How do you think the proposal will affect Europe's and Sweden's innovation capacity if it goes through?

- I think it will ensure quality and that ethical rules are followed, which is great. In a country like Sweden, it can encourage innovation in a way by facilitating its export. At the same time, common sense says that restrictive rules inhibit the development of innovation.

Christian GuttmanChristian Guttman, Head of AI at TietoEvry, says the proposed regulation could be a challenge for Swedish innovative companies that want to use AI in their products and services.

- "Companies are already facing challenges with talent development and competition from companies outside the EU that are at an advanced stage of digital development. The proposal makes it even more difficult to start building new products and AI services while still being able to afford to invest in new development projects," said Christian Guttman.

How do you think global competition in AI and digitalization will be affected by the proposal?

- Many non-EU countries already have regulations that affect companies. They have an advantage over their European competitors in that they have developed an understanding of the regulations and can adapt their products accordingly. They also have a fairly well-developed lobbying system. All in all, this allows non-EU companies to build new competitive AI services with less investment and talent.