The advancement of artificial intelligence holds potential for significant breakthroughs and innovations, yet comes with new challenges and risks. The rapid progress in machine learning, deep learning, and other technologies opens new horizons for AI application in fields such as medicine, industry, transportation, education, and more. However, along with these opportunities come ethical concerns, data security, potential job displacement, algorithmic transparency, and various challenges to digital human rights.
The topic for discussion at one of the sessions organized by the Association “Comunitatea Internet” within the framework of the multi-stakeholder dialogue on Internet governance was the accelerating development of artificial intelligence systems in recent years, including in Moldova, which caused the need for legal regulation of new phenomena and processes related to the implementation of the results of such developments in practice. Moreover, the issue of forming the trajectory of further development of artificial intelligence, formulation of principles and enumeration of basic elements capable of minimizing the risks of its development for the future has arisen, which has led to the creation of strategies for the development of artificial intelligence in many countries.
The Chairman of the Association “Comunitatea Internet”, Alexei Marciuc, said that the augmented and virtual reality raises the issues of public safety, data protection and consumer protection. According to him, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by advanced technologies, while addressing related challenges and risks is a task that no one actor can take up on its own. “Multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration – involving governments, intergovernmental organizations, technology companies, civil society and other stakeholders – are required to ensure that these technologies are developed and deployed in a manner that is human-centred and respectful of human rights,” he notes.
Veronica Cretu, Council of Europe expert and Co-founder of the Innovating Governance Association in Vienna, noted that AI technologies are increasingly being integrated into various aspects of the Internet, including social networks, search engines, e-commerce platforms, etc. “We know that AI algorithms can collect and analyze large amounts of data about users, which can cause privacy concerns. Today, we talk a lot about privacy and data protection. Another important aspect is that AI technologies can be used to automate, for example, content moderation, which can affect freedom of expression. Accordingly, there are a number of challenges and interdependencies that require the AI and Internet governance communities of practice to work together to develop policies and regulations to address the ethical and social implications of AI. The simplest solution would be to jointly develop some guidelines on the use of AI in Internet governance to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of AI systems,” emphasized Veronica Cretu.
The expert drew attention to some aspects that stakeholders in Moldova need to know about public policy or recommendations that exist in the field of the global policy landscape on artificial intelligence. “The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence provides a global policy framework in this area, and the Ethical Impact Assessment provides a new tool for understanding the implications of AI implementation. It is equally important to be aware of the OECD principles and the subsequent global AI-related policy debate. Another an extremely important document is the White House Draft AI Bill of Rights, the most significant U.S. policy initiative to date, and the blueprint highlights President Biden’s commitment to resolutely advance civil rights, equal opportunity, and justice in the U.S. It is equally important to know that at the European Union level there is the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. It aims to create a legal framework for artificial intelligence in the EU. Last but not least, the Council of Europe is currently working on a Convention on Artificial Intelligence. This is a legal document that we hope to finalize this fall, will serve as a binding legal document and could become a global milestone in the field of artificial intelligence”.
“What does the Republic of Moldova need to promote the artificial intelligence agenda? First, we need an exercise to jointly develop a national artificial intelligence vision and strategy. More than 50 countries around the world have national AI strategies. We have different estimates, we know what we lack. It is very important to use this understanding and jointly create a vision of this area in the Republic of Moldova,” the Council of Europe expert concluded.
According to Ion Cosuleanu, Institute for the Development of Information Society, today we see and register a growing interest in our country in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence technology. According to him, AI tools open great opportunities for countries like Moldova, and their impact can be felt in all spheres of life. The participants in the discussion agreed that in the future, the rules of artificial intelligence work should be legislated.