Citizen's panel on AI issues

The Belgian presidency of the European Union aimed to involve citizens in the strategic debate on AI. The 60 citizens worked enthusiastically, overcoming their apprehensions about a subject as complex as AI.   

They wrote a report on citizens' views that reflects the various aspirations of the Belgian population. It contains nine key messages focusing on the need for a responsible, ambitious and beneficial approach to AI, ensuring that it serves the interests of all and leaves no one behind. 

Download the full text of the citizens' vision 
 

To bring this adventure, packed with meetings and debates, to a close, the citizens presented their conclusions on 25 May. It was an opportunity to debate with a panel of Belgian and European representatives the priorities identified for the future of AI in Europe, as well as the follow-up on their work. 

The Belgian Prime Minister opened the event by thanking the 60 Belgian citizens for the important work they had accomplished: "For three months, you have worked together to develop a vision for the future of artificial intelligence. This is an important first step. Now it is up to us to continue the work." He stated that "Participatory democracy works because it brings politicians and citizens closer together. You have provided the proof. The outcomes can feed into the policies that will be implemented in the European Union." 

The Vice-President of the European Commission, Dubravka Šuica, concurred with these observations, stating in a message to the citizen panellists: "You have proved once again that debate with citizens works. You have put a lot of effort into presenting a vision that can inspire all levels of governance," she stressed, also pointing out that "the Belgian presidency has set an important precedent, which should inspire all future EU presidencies to organise their own citizen panel." 

Asked about the outcomes of the panel, Hendrik Van de Velde, General Coordinator of the Belgian Presidency, replied unambiguously: "Yes, we are satisfied with the result! You have managed to address a complex subject with simple messages. Making complicated things intelligible is quite a feat! Basically, the first thing that strikes me is that you appeal to people's sense of responsibility, because we are going to have to train and adapt. The second is that there are very high expectations at European level,  and a very clear awareness of what Europe can and cannot do. Finally, your conclusion makes humans the central focus, and this is expressed in a very positive way. It is not fear of a technology that will overwhelm us. No, you propose things, with human beings as the central focus of concerns at every level. So, well done!"