EU President Ursula von der Leyen recently unveiled an initiative aimed at providing artificial intelligence (AI) startups with expedited access to Europe's supercomputers. This announcement was made during her State of the Union Address on September 13, 2023. Von der Leyen began her address by referencing an open letter from the global AI community, which emphasized the need for increased regulatory scrutiny regarding the potential risks associated with AI.
In her speech, President von der Leyen highlighted the significance of AI, describing it as a versatile technology evolving at an incredibly rapid pace. She emphasized the need for responsible guidance in harnessing the potential of AI. Von der Leyen advocated for the creation of a new global framework for AI, built on three core pillars: establishing guardrails, implementing governance mechanisms, and guiding innovation.
Regarding the establishment of guardrails, the President pointed to the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act as a blueprint for global regulation in this field. In terms of governance, she called upon the international community to create a governing body akin to the International Panel on Climate Change. Finally, von der Leyen unveiled an EU-wide initiative designed to facilitate AI startups' access to European supercomputers. Europe, she noted, currently boasts three of the world's top five most powerful supercomputers.
Von der Leyen also commended both US technology companies and EU firms that have voluntarily adopted AI standards and ethics. She urged the need to consolidate these efforts to establish global minimum standards for the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence.
The President's address underlines the EU's commitment to responsible AI development and its recognition of AI's transformative potential, while emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in shaping the future of AI technology.
