Artificial intelligence and automated decision making processes can pose certain threats to consumers. Find out how the European Parliament wants to protect them.
What is artificial intelligence and why
can it be dangerous?
As learning algorithms can process data sets with precision and speed beyond
human capacity, artificial intelligence (AI) applications have become
increasingly common in finance, healthcare, education, the legal system and
beyond. However, reliance on AI also carries risks, especially where decisions
are made without human oversight. Machine learning relies on
pattern-recognition within datasets. Problems arise when the available data
reflects societal bias.
Artificial Intelligence in
decision-making processes
AI is increasingly involved in algorithmic
decision systems. In many situations, the impact of the decision on people can
be significant, such as access to credit, employment, medical treatment, or
judicial sentences. Automated decision-making can therefore perpetuate social
divides. For example, some hiring algorithms have been found to be biased
against women.
How to protect consumers in the
era of AI
The development of AI and automated decision-making processes also presents
challenges for consumer trust and welfare. When consumers are interacting with
such a system, they should be properly informed about how it functions.
The position of the Parliament
In a resolution
adopted on 23 January, the internal
market and consumer protection committee urges
the European Commission to examine whether additional measures are necessary in
order to guarantee a strong set of rights to protect consumers in the context
of AI and automated decision-making.
“We have
to make sure that consumer protection and trust is ensured, that the EU’s rules
on safety and liability for products and services are fit for purpose in the
digital age,” said German Greens/EFA member Petra De
Sutter., chair of the internal market and
consumer protection committee.
Next steps
MEPs will vote on the resolution in mid February. After that it will be transmitted to the Council and the Commission. The Commission should present its plans for a European approach to AI on 19 February.