Brussels, BELGIUM – In order to address pressing questions at the intersection of artificial intelligence and privacy, the European AI Roundtable gathered for the third time this year, hosted again by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe).
The discussion could not have been timelier, as the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) prepares to release its opinion on the use of personal data in AI model training, which is expected to have profound implications for the wider European economy and beyond.
That’s why AI experts, policymakers, and industry leaders gathered in Brussels yesterday to explore ways to reconcile Europe’s ambitious AI goals with its strong commitment to privacy.
Right now, the highly complex patchwork of EU rules makes it difficult for companies to innovate and integrate AI. This is already being felt in the market, with certain AI products available elsewhere withheld from European consumers due to regulatory uncertainty.
At the Roundtable’s heart were fundamental questions surrounding the EDPB’s forthcoming opinion, which will address how personal data is processed during AI training and operation, and evaluate the legal bases under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The EDPB’s opinion will have far-reaching consequences, not only for the AI ecosystem but also for Europe’s economy as a whole. Indeed, during yesterday’s discussion participants emphasised that this opinion must be well-informed – stressing the need for a balanced approach that provides AI firms the necessary clarity to innovate.
Now in its third edition, the European AI Roundtable has become a vital forum for shaping the AI debate and advancing actionable solutions. The level of expertise and engagement displayed yesterday highlights its role in bridging the gap between regulation and innovation.
The following can be attributed to Senior Vice President and Head of CCIA Europe, Daniel Friedlaender:
“Compliance with EU privacy rules is a key priority for AI companies, even though they face tremendous legal uncertainty in this area. CCIA Europe believes the GDPR’s technology-neutral and flexible design should remain central to guidance on AI training.”
“We call on European data protection authorities, and the EDPB in particular, to speed up efforts to provide legal certainty and align the interpretation of fundamental privacy principles with evolving technological developments.”
Notes for editors
At the event, Théodore Christakis, Professor of International and European Law, launched a new study examining AI hallucinations – false or misleading outputs generated by AI systems – and their interaction with EU data protection law.
Additionally, Etienne Drouard (Partner at Hogan Lovells), offered a detailed exploration of the interplay between the AI Act and GDPR, highlighting the challenges this regulatory interplay presents for businesses operating in the EU.
