Artificial Intelligence in the Healthcare Sector:
Challenges and Opportunities for Legislation and SMEs

The current digital revolution has triggered a global tech race, which could lead to a global power shift. Europe, which for centuries set international standards and dominated technological progress, has fallen behind in a new ‘winner-takes-most’ economy. This not only affects our competitiveness but also runs the risk of European values being globally replaced, our companies becoming marginalized and our living standards being drastically reduced. Artificial Intelligence as the key technology is at the heart of this digital revolution.

In fact, to be a global leader means to be a leader in AI. While we need to make sure that the risks associated with AI are effectively combatted, the majority of AI applications are risk-free and bring huge benefits to our society – from more effective transport and increased sustainability to combatting diseases and pandemics in the health sector. However, currently, the EU does not meet any preconditions to compete in AI. It is lacking market power, investments and research capacities and is running miles behind the US and China. Where the EU still has a key advantage is standard-setting. We still have the chance to promote a human-centred approach to AI, that is based on our core ethical and democratic European values, if we move quickly. This is the vision we need to promote on the global stage.

The European Parliament’s Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age (AIDA) developed a comprehensive Roadmap for the EU with concrete steps to take in the coming years to become a global leader in AI. In order to achieve widespread use of AI and to fully harness its benefits, we need to overcome the barriers of legal uncertainty, insufficient digital infrastructure in Europe and the lack of AI skills and talent. We are striving for a fully harmonized digital framework that focuses on high-risk applications of AI and that grants access to connectivity and data. This includes rethinking concepts of the GDPR such as data minimization, as, without data, there is no AI.