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- Loris Modena
- Normative e Privacy
On June 14, 2023, the first piece of legislation to regulate the use of artificial intelligence was approved by the European Parliament. The question arises whether this measure really increases our security and what is the real danger posed by AIs. These questions deserve careful analysis. The Regulation, while driven by laudable intentions, seems to have overstepped its purpose, turning into a bureaucratic burden that could hinder the use and development of artificial intelligences in Europe, while the rest of the world will have the opportunity to fully exploit these technologies. In the absence of global regulation, this measure only risks being a self-sabotage of the European economy.
With a considerable majority of 499 votes in favor, compared to 28 against and 93 abstentions, the regulation was ratified. This represents an unprecedented event, being the first regulation of this nature globally. In order to reach operational status, the regulation will now have to undergo the so-called "trilogue," or tripartite negotiations with the Council, representing the governments of the member countries, and the European Commission within one year, the remaining term of the legislature, otherwise all to be redone.
The French Position on the AI ACT
The regulation was mainly greeted by euphoric tones, as if there was now no longer a risk of humanity's extinction due to an AI gone mad. Among the voices outside the chorus analyzing the issue rationally, France is one of the few.
During the Vivatech conference in Paris, the desire for global regulation on artificial intelligence was expressed by Emmanuel Macron, president of the French Republic, along with Bruno Le Maire, French finance minister, and Jeannoel Barrot, minister of digital,. A favorable stance was taken on the regulation of artificial intelligence by France, but concern was expressed that the EU law on artificial intelligence went into more detail.
It was stated by France that the European Parliament tried to solve too many problems at once with the AI Act. There is an ongoing push for regulations on a global scale by France, which sees the United States as a key ally.
The French position perfectly sums up the problem with the AI ACT, which is that it will slow down development in Europe while the rest of the world does not stand by. There has been a desire in practice to put too much on the table.
What is the real danger of AIs
We often find ourselves imagining science fiction movie scenarios in which machines gain self-awareness and decide that humanity must be eliminated. However, despite their revolutionary nature, these artificial intelligences do not possess true self-awareness. A more accurate term to describe them, borrowed from the world of science fiction (specifically the video game Mass Effect), would be"virtual intelligences."
Thus, the real danger that artificial intelligence presents does not lie in the often dramatized idea that machines can acquire autonomous consciousness and decide to exterminate humanity. This scenario, while a popular theme in science fiction, is far from the practical and immediate reality of AI. The real danger, which is much more concrete and current, is the digital divide that is being created between countries that have the capacity to develop and use artificial intelligence and those that do not. This gap is not only technological, but is also reflected in economic, social and political terms.
Countries that can develop and use AI have the opportunity to advance rapidly in various areas, such as medicine, education, industry, and the economy in general. This progress can lead to increased wealth, efficiency and quality of life for their citizens.
On the other hand, countries that cannot develop or use AI risk being left behind. Without access to these advanced technologies, they could find themselves at a disadvantage in terms of economic and social development. They could also become dependent on technologically advanced countries for access to AI-based services and products, creating a kind of technological dependence.
In addition, the digital divide may lead to social inequalities within the countries themselves. People who have access to AI and the skills to use it may have more opportunities than those who do not. This can lead to inequalities in income, employment, and access to services.
In sum, the real danger of artificial intelligence is that, if not managed properly, it can help create and amplify inequalities both between and within countries.
Conclusion
My opinion is that the European regulation on artificial intelligence is detrimental to Europe's economy and development. This is because it responds to dangers that, at the moment, do not exist and leads us to commit what could be the most serious mistake in our history.
The regulation of artificial intelligence is a necessary step to ensure security and fairness in the digital age. However, it is critical that these regulations do not hinder innovation or create an even wider digital divide. While Europe is moving cautiously, the rest of the world is not standing still. So we need to strike a balance between the need to regulate and the need to innovate. The real danger is not AI gone mad, but a world in which only a few can benefit from the incredible opportunities offered by artificial intelligence. We need to work together to ensure that AI is a tool of progress for everyone, not just a small elite. In this sense, regulation should be seen not as an obstacle, but as a means to ensure an equitable and secure digital future for all.
Author: Loris Modena
SENIOR DEVELOPER
Loris Modena owner of Arte e Informatica, began working in the computer industry in 1989 as a systems engineer in charge of maintenance and installation of computer systems. He starts programming for the web in 1997 dealing with CGI programming in PERL and later moving to programming in PHP and JavaScript. During this period he approaches the Open source world and Linux server management.