  In February 2020, the European Commission (EC) published a white paper
entitled, On Artificial Intelligence - A European approach to excellence and
trust. This paper outlines the EC's policy options for the promotion and
adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the European Union. The Montreal AI
Ethics Institute (MAIEI) reviewed this paper and published a response
addressing the EC's plans to build an "ecosystem of excellence" and an
"ecosystem of trust," as well as the safety and liability implications of AI,
the internet of things (IoT), and robotics.
  MAIEI provides 15 recommendations in relation to the sections outlined above,
including: 1) focus efforts on the research and innovation community, member
states, and the private sector; 2) create alignment between trading partners'
policies and EU policies; 3) analyze the gaps in the ecosystem between
theoretical frameworks and approaches to building trustworthy AI; 4) focus on
coordination and policy alignment; 5) focus on mechanisms that promote private
and secure sharing of data; 6) create a network of AI research excellence
centres to strengthen the research and innovation community; 7) promote
knowledge transfer and develop AI expertise through Digital Innovation Hubs; 8)
add nuance to the discussion regarding the opacity of AI systems; 9) create a
process for individuals to appeal an AI system's decision or output; 10)
implement new rules and strengthen existing regulations; 11) ban the use of
facial recognition technology; 12) hold all AI systems to similar standards and
compulsory requirements; 13) ensure biometric identification systems fulfill
the purpose for which they are implemented; 14) implement a voluntary labelling
system for systems that are not considered high-risk; 15) appoint individuals
to the oversight process who understand AI systems well and are able to
communicate potential risks.
