Today, a Belgian citizens’ panel presents its report including a vision and nine key messages on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into our lives to policymakers, companies and the King Baudouin Foundation. The citizens’ panel recognised both concerns and positive aspects of AI in our society. One important conclusion is that there is still some distance between the concerns of citizens and the content of the AI Act. This is the first ever comprehensive legal framework for AI within the European Union. In particular, AI and the environment, but also AI-generated deepfakes appear to be notable concerns for the participating citizens, which are not (sufficiently) found in EU policies.
The BeEU citizens’ panel on artificial intelligence is an innovative and democratic initiative of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2024. With this progressive project, the first of its kind under a presidency, Belgium is demonstrating its commitment to inclusive policymaking.
The rapid development of AI promises significant potential for progress, but at the same time raises ethical, societal, economic, democratic, environmental, security and geopolitical questions on which the EU will have to take a stand in the coming years. Over three weekends between February and April 2024, the panel brought together 60 randomly selected Belgian citizens representing the diversity of our country. Their assignment was to think about the future of artificial intelligence within the European Union and develop a vision.
“We believe it is important to put citizens at the centre of the decision-making process. Society must be heard on important topics such as artificial intelligence and contribute to ambitious policies that meet their expectations. This citizens’ panel was the ideal way to increase citizen involvement. The result is nine key messages and a number of concrete directions to help shape the strategic agenda of European policy on AI in the coming years,” said Hendrik Van De Velde, coordinator of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Urgent concerns for AI policy: environmental impact, deepfakes and economic systems
The citizens’ panel notes the growing importance of fighting climate change, but also notes that the impact of AI systems on the environment is often overlooked. The AI Act also makes no mention of it. AI consumes a lot of energy, materials and water, which is worrying because of increasing ecological pressures. The panel urges the EU to include the environmental impact of AI in policy development and technology, and stresses the need to integrate solutions to environmental problems into the public debate and political agenda around AI.
In addition, the citizens’ panel points out that deepfakes and unreliable information generated by AI systems are a serious threat to democracy. According to citizens, deepfakes, enhanced by algorithms, cause and reinforce polarisation and divisions in society, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish real information from fake. According to the panelists, this has a significant impact on public opinion and people’s confidence. The participants are therefore surprised that deepfakes are considered low risk in the recently adopted European AI Act and want to see this issue much higher on the political and legal agenda.
The panel also calls for a new look at the economic system and the balance of power due to the impact of AI. The panel notes that the balance in our society may be strained. In their key message, therefore, they argue that the EU must be prepared to cope with profound economic change.
Citizens also indicate that the EU should take advantage of all opportunities and invest heavily in AI for scientific research and innovation. The panel believes that by daring to invest in the development of AI, the EU can build and strengthen its position in the world.
Comprehensive vision of AI
A total of nine key messages on various themes were developed in the report. In addition to these pressing concerns, the BeEU citizens’ panel reflected on the impact of AI on work and how it can help people without replacing them. In addition, the participants’ vision sets out the implementation of AI in education and investments in education on its use, among different generations. At the same time, (young) people should be inspired and encouraged to choose AI research, preferably in their own country. Finally, participants emphasised the huge importance of human involvement, or “human-in-the-loop,” as a foundation for the further development of AI.
More communication is crucial
The citizens’ panel calls on policymakers to urgently invest more in communication about AI. Furthermore, the participants point out the great responsibility of the EU in the development of AI and call for strong, joint actions by the 27 member states and political agreement on the right to access AI and the Internet for all.
The citizens’ panel is counting on their report being followed up in EU policy: “We did this with all our heart, our intellect and a great deal of energy. Our experience was highly educational and inspiring. It was heartening to see that all participants were thinking not only of their own interests, but also of under-represented groups. We hope that our views will be taken into account and that our input will lead to concrete actions that represent the interests of all stakeholders,” said one of the panelists.
Please find attached the full report from the BeEU citizens’ panel on artificial intelligence.