The document discusses the current state and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe, particularly in the defense sector, highlighting the need for a strong strategy to lead in this area. It outlines various characteristics of AI, investment statistics, and the European approach to AI regulation, ethics, and development, emphasizing the importance of trustworthy AI. Additionally, the text addresses the implications of autonomous weapons systems and the necessity for human control in compliance with international law.

1. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND EUROPE:
DEVELOPMENTS, RISKS AND
IMPLICATIONS
A focus on the defence sector
Jacopo Scipione
28 April 2020

2. WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
There is no clear definition on Artificial
Intelligence among experts.
AI should have 3 main characteristics:
• Act intelligently
• Being autonomous in decision-
making
• Adapt itself

3. AI INVESTEMENTS
WORLDWIDE
Main developers: The US and China
Other actors: UK, Canada, India,
South Korea, Japan, UAE
EUROPE
Finland, France, Germany
Private investments in AI (2016):
€2.4-3.2 billion in Europe, €6.5-9.7 billion in Asia, €12.1-18.6 billion in North America.

4. THE
EUROPEAN
APPROACH
EP Resolution on civil law
and robotics
February 2017
- Declaration of cooperation on AI
- Communication on AI
Coordinated Plan on AI
February 2020
April 2018
December 2018
White Paper on AI
April 2019 Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI

5. Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI
For the Independent experts,
trustworthy AI should be:
• Lawful, respecting EU law
• Ethical, in line with European
values
• Robust, being safe, secure and
reliable
White Paper on AI
Attract over €20 billion of total
investment in the EU per year in AI
over the next decade through:
• Cooperation with Member States
• Research and Innovation
• Skills
• Small and Medium Enterprises

6. AI IN DEFENCE
Opportunities and vulnerabilities
Reduces risk of life losses
in conflicts (militaries and
civilians)
“Black box” issue, can we
trust technologies in the
decision-making?
Reduces costs during
training and operations
Manipulation of information

7. THE AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS
(AWS)
There is no consensus on the
definition of AWS.
• Semiautonomous Weapons,
human operator controls
• Supervised Autonomous Weapons,
human operator supervises
• Fully Autonomous Weapons,
no human control, the system select
targets and act on its own

8. EP Resolution on AWS
12 September 2018
• All weapons systems should
comply with International
humanitarian law, and its
principles of distinction,
proportion, and responsibility
• Humans must always control
AWS
• Limitations on AWS should not
affect civilian research on AI

9. CONCLUSION
Having a strong strategy for AI and other emerging technologies is imperative
to be a global leader in all fields.
Before being a referee, you must enter the stadium.

10. THANK YOU!
Jacopo Scipione
j.scipione@europeancollege.it