The use of "artificial intelligence" (AI) is advancing, globally and in Europe. Digitisation produces more data as well as more possibilities to analyze it using AI. Yet it is hardly, if at all, possible to understand how AI really works and what happens to our data - whether it is sold to private companies, for example, or forwarded for other purposes.

Johann Čas, data protection expert at the Institute of Technology Assessment (ITA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Christiane Wendehorst (University of Vienna) and Charles Raab (University of Edinburgh) discuss ethical concerns and hopeful initiatives with other experts at the conference "Managing a secure future with AI - too many guidelines and too little guidance?":

Human autonomy at risk

"As with all new technological developments, Artificial intelligence raises hopes but also fears. Only with AI, there is hardly anyone who can explain how these applications really work. This "black box" presents us with new challenges: How can we protect human autonomy and dignity? In which areas can decisions be transferred to AI without hesitation, which decisions require human action? And how can politics guarantee standards when a few global companies dominate the market?", emphasizes Čas.

Keynote speaker Christiane Wendehorst conducted a study on an internationally applicable AI law on behalf of the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs, one focus of her research is biometric data collection. The second keynote will be delivered by Charles Raab, one of the leading European voices in the field of ethics, privacy and surveillance. The conference is one of four final events of the EU project Panelfit, which involved the ITA and twelve other European partner institutions from fields such as technology assessment, research ethics or data protection. The aim of the project is to help shape paths for an ethically and socially safe future with AI.