AI & Society 2024: promises and perils in the next EU mandate

Unprecedented technological advancements, particularly with those of artificial intelligence (AI), are set to fundamentally transform our relationship with work. The interplay between AI and the workplace marks the onset of a new era for employment, skill development and workplace culture.

We are already seeing routine tasks becoming increasingly automated, freeing up valuable time for creative and strategic endeavours. Alongside these promising developments, the integration of AI in the workplace inevitably poses challenges. Europe’s ability to capitalise on AI for fostering trust, cohesion and productivity gains is at stake. The 2024 Digital Decade report cautions that indicators such as AI adoption by enterprises and ICT specialist workforce are not on track to reach 2030 targets and issues recommendations to Member States to accelerate progress.

In the context of the new EU mandate, which will be crucial for Europe’s digital transformation, as well as the newly announced at the G7 Summit in June, this panel will explore how AI is reshaping job roles and the very nature of work. It will delve into practical strategies to prepare employees across sectors and hierarchies by responding to new skills demands and using various incentives.

Some of the questions this panel will address are:

• Which ways can AI be leveraged to enhance productivity, creativity and strategic thinking in the workplace without compromising job security and employee well-being?
• How can policymakers, enterprises and educational institutions collaborate to address the current gaps in digital skills and adoption of AI and prepare the workforce for an AI-driven future?
• What specific incentives, as well as soft and hard skills for employees, should be prioritised and what measures can be implemented?
• How can employers empower their employees to upskill and reskill and bring underrepresented groups into the workforce?
• How can organisations use AI technology to drive skills-based employment practices?

Recognising the potential benefits and inherent risks of AI, collaborative efforts between the EU and the US are increasingly important, especially in the context of democratic integrity. The Technology and Trade Council (TTC) meeting held in April 2024, highlighted the progress made, particularly by reflecting a shared commitment to leveraging AI for safeguarding democratic elections. This includes developing tools to ensure transparency, prevent manipulation, and foster public trust in the electoral process.

As the influence of AI in elections grows, the need for robust international regulatory frameworks becomes more pressing. These frameworks must enhance digital literacy, empowering citizens to make informed decisions that uphold democratic values.

With 2024 being a key election year around the world, the role of AI in democratic processes and our ability to effectively regulate it becomes one of the key issues of our time. Ongoing dialogue and cooperative policy-making between major global actors is of the utmost importance in aiming to ensure that AI is used responsibly to enhance the integrity and transparency of democratic systems worldwide.

• Considering the increasing role of AI in electoral processes, what are the expected challenges for cooperation in implementing regulations to safeguard democratic elections?
• What potential effects could the outcomes of the 2024 EU and US elections have on the development and enforcement of AI regulations, and how might these changes influence the integrity of democratic processes?
• What specific measures can be implemented to enhance digital literacy among citizens?