Speaking at the second EU-China High
Level Digital Dialogue in Beijing, European Commission
Vice-President Vera Jourova stressed the need to engage China in
"designing effective governance at the multilateral level" on
the challenges and risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI),
despite the very different approaches of the two sides.
In talks with her Chinese counterparts including Vice Premier
Zhang Guoqing, Jourova said she discussed the need for a "clear
commitment to defend universal human rights" that is required by
the acceleration of AI, and referred to the "UN report on the
use of AI against human rights in Xinjiang, which is a cause of
concern for us".
At the same time, the EU-China High Level Digital Dialogue co
chair said "the extreme risks posed by the exponential growth of
AI imply that we will need to design effective global governance
at the multilateral level", recalling the EU's priorities on the
issue including finalization of the European AI Act and the
Hiroshima Process within the G7.
For the EU, however, "global outreach" is needed and, "given
China's position, dialogue is still needed, despite our
approaches being far apart", Jourova explained.
The two sides, she added, agreed to contribute to the "process
set out by UN Secretary-General Guterres", who has committed to
creating a high-level advisory body on AI that should provide
recommendations on global governance by the end of the year.
The vice president concluded by saying that China "has expressed
a willingness to engage in international fora" such as the
second EU-China High Level Digital Dialogue in Beijing.
The talks are focusing on key issues such as digital platforms,
data regulation, AI, research and innovation, the cross-border
flow of industrial data and the safety of products sold online.
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