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China-EU relations
ChinaDiplomacy

In whirlwind China trip, EU digital boss will pitch AI global governing body to advise policymakers on tech risks

  • Vera Jourova to hold high-level dialogue with Chinese Vice-premier Zhang Guoqing to promote panel akin to UN advisory group on climate change
  • Though Beijing and Brussels are ‘far apart’ ideologically, they must discuss concerns over use of artificial intelligence, says senior EU official

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EU digital chief Vera Jourova will raise concerns about the use of AI to surveil Uygurs in China’s far western region of Xinjiang when she heads to Beijing early next week. Photo: EPA-EFE
Finbarr Berminghamin Brussels
EU digital boss Vera Jourova will head to China on Sunday to pitch the idea of a global governing body for artificial intelligence.
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The body was first proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her annual state of the union address on Wednesday, when she said the EU would promote a “global panel that provides the latest science to policymakers”.
The body would be akin to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which advances scientific knowledge about climate change caused by human activities and has been instrumental in raising awareness around the issue.

While officials believe EU and China are poles apart ideologically on the use of AI by authorities, there is acknowledgement that it is necessary to include Beijing in governance discussions on global issues that affect humanity at large.
“On fundamental issues such as the use of AI for surveillance and the rights of the individual, we are far apart from China. It would be naive to think there is much room for convergence there,” said a senior EU official familiar with the plan, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“But the technology is accelerating at an exponential pace and China is an important global player on AI. We need to discuss the extreme risks and how we can effectively deal with these through global governance.”

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Officials pointed to issues flagged by developers of advanced AI – ranging from biohazards and cyber risks to extinction – as areas in which talks involving China would be useful.

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