Tackling Artificial Intelligence: Legislating the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act
This semester’s MEUC took place as a simulation of the Council of the European Union.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a fast-evolving family of technologies that can bring many economic and societal benefits across industries and social activities. By improving prediction, optimizing operations and resource allocation, and personalizing service delivery, artificial intelligence can support socially and environmentally beneficial outcomes and provide critical competitive advantages to companies and the European economy. However, the same elements and techniques that power the socioeconomic benefits of AI can also bring about new risks or negative consequences for individuals or society. In light of the speed of technological change and possible challenges, the EU is committed to strive for a balanced approach. It is in the Union's interest to preserve the EU’s technological leadership and to ensure that Europeans can benefit from new technologies developed and functioning according to Union values, fundamental rights, and principles.
The participants of the MEUC will discuss these and many other issues - in the role of representatives of the member states or of an EU Institution - and try to develop a consensual version of the law.
In doing so, the participants will not only discuss the legal problems and gain a deeper insight into the structure and law-making of the European Institutions. At the same time, they will also improve their rhetorical and argumentative skills and their fluency in English.
Update
The MEUC successfully took place at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung on 2. & 3. December 2022. Over 50 participants debated the issue of legislating artificial intelligence. After two heated days of discussion, the proposed AI Act was not adopted by the council.
The final result can be found here.