On October 3, 2024, the Human Technology Foundation had the honor of co-organizing the Responsible AI Summit with Google and Renaissance Numérique at Pavillon Gabriel in Paris. This high-level summit took place on Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., featuring discussions on AI governance, economic opportunities, and safety. The day concluded with a networking lunch reception, providing participants with an informal setting to exchange views on the future of AI.
The first panel, dedicated to artificial intelligence governance, explored the foundations necessary for responsible and secure AI on a global scale. Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs at Google, opened the discussion by emphasizing the importance of establishing global standards to ensure the transparency and safety of AI technologies. Alongside him, Henri Verdier, France's Ambassador for Digital Affairs, discussed the need for governments to create legislative frameworks that support ethical AI while fostering innovation.
The intervention of Ulrik Vestergaard Knudsen, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, highlighted the role of international cooperation in building unified AI governance. Kilian Gross, head of the AI office at the European Commission, added a European perspective, stressing the importance of proactive regulation that anticipates risks while opening paths for companies in the sector.
Finally, Cina Lawson, Minister of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation of Togo, shared her country's vision on AI regulation, reminding attendees of the importance of not leaving emerging economies out of AI governance discussions. Together, the panelists stressed the importance of implementing governance that protects democratic values and citizens' rights.
The second panel focused on harnessing AI's potential for Europe, bringing together key players in the European innovation ecosystem. Charles Gorintin, co-founder and CTO of Alan, started the discussion by highlighting the role of startups and health technology in addressing societal needs, while emphasizing the importance of regulations that encourage innovation.
Joëlle Barral, Director of AI Research at Google DeepMind, provided a research-focused view on technological advancements, underscoring the need for strong partnerships to stimulate European competitiveness. She also presented Google DeepMind's efforts to advance AI in Europe and ensure it benefits all citizens, in alignment with ethical values.
Anya Hayden, investor and administrator of the European Innovation Fund, added to the discussion by explaining how funding can support innovation while meeting regulatory compliance requirements. Together with Guillaume Avrin, National AI Coordinator, who illustrated France's efforts to support AI development, they underscored the importance of an integrated ecosystem to realize the full potential of AI in Europe.
The last panel addressed the security issues associated with artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on protecting users and their data. Éric Salobir, president of the HTF, opened the session by reminding that AI security is essential for building user trust and ensuring responsible use. He highlighted HTF's role in promoting AI that respects fundamental rights and freedoms.
Claudia Eckert, Executive Director of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Institute, then shared her security expertise, explaining how AI technologies can be designed to detect and neutralize potential threats. She emphasized the importance of international collaborations to implement effective security measures and initiatives that protect the integrity of AI systems.
Laurie Richardson, Vice President of Trust and Safety at Google, and Imran Shafi, Director of AI Policy in the United Kingdom, rounded off the panel by presenting practical solutions for enhancing security in an ever-evolving digital world. Their contributions illustrated how the private sector and public authorities can collaborate to tackle security challenges while preserving individual freedoms.
Thank you to Google for the opportunity to partner in this Responsible AI Summit, marking a significant step forward in the dialogue on ethical and responsible artificial intelligence. We also extend our gratitude to all the speakers for their valuable contributions.
