Artificial intelligence (AI) is advanced digital technology that enables machines to reproduce or exceed some of the skills that require intelligence when performed by humans. This includes technologies that give machines the ability to learn and adapt, hear and interact, reason and plan, optimise procedures and parameters in order to extract knowledge from huge amounts of data and operate autonomously.
Artificial intelligence is a reality that is already influencing people’s decisions, safety, marketing and communication strategies and even medical treatments. Although machines do not have generalist intelligence yet and neither has it been possible to give them common sense, they possess intelligence for very specific tasks that surpass the efficiency of human intelligence. This is creating an enthusiastic surge in the adoption of this discipline in many areas of our lives, although the ethical and legal impacts have not been evaluated in depth, a fact that poses a risk.
In recent years, artificial intelligence has become one of the most significant technological trends with a cross-cutting capacity to change many areas: society, economy, industry, culture, ecology, mobility, public administration and ethics and its cross-cutting nature implies having to consider all the possible stakeholders. The contribution and convergence of different views is both enriching and necessary for the sustainable and comprehensive development of artificial intelligence.
The artificial intelligence sector is expected to grow considerably between 2020 and 2030. According to estimations, by 2021 80% of online interactions between smart bots, 1 powered by artificial intelligence, and humans, by way of chats or applications that operate with the voice, will be automated, thus offering a unique and personalised experience. The same year, over 90% of companies around the world are expected to have adopted some kind of solution or AI application. Some of the most notable applications will be in the field of cybersecurity, business intelligence, market analysis, among others.
In this regard, several countries have already implemented an AI strategy, under which they orchestrate strategic investments to boost their artificial intelligence capabilities. These countries include the United States, Israel, Canada, China, Singapore, South Korea, India, New Zealand, and in Europe, the United Kingdom, France and Finland. They all have similar strategies that coincide with the ethics of their applicability, the significant role that has to be played by public services and the need to promote research, training, and academic and entrepreneurial talent.
Along these lines, on 25 April 2018, the European Commission adopted its artificial intelligence strategy for Europe which marked the start of a coordinated plan with Member States to encourage the development and use of artificial intelligence in Europe. Within this framework, the Commission requested Member States to approve their respective national AI strategies and focus them on four key areas: increase investment, make more data available, foster talent, and ensure trust in AI.
Coordination needs to be stronger to convert Europe into the world leader of the development and implementation of advanced, ethical and safe artificial intelligence.
Catalonia has a long history as a leader in technological innovation and talent development, starting with the first industrial revolution and the first railway, which included achieving numerous social, industrial and economic milestones, and ending up in this specific field with the creation of the MareNostrum, one of the most internationally renowned supercomputers. The Barcelona Supercomputing Center has recently received funding from the EC to build the MareNostrum 5, which will multiply the machine’s current power by 17 and convert it into Europe’s most powerful supercomputer. Catalonia is also a leader in the field of artificial intelligence, demonstrated by the excellent scientific and academic community of international prestige, which places Catalan universities, research and technology centres at the forefront of this field in Europe.
This document clearly shows that Catalonia has the capabilities and potentialities to place the country in a privileged position to lead the development and adoption of artificial intelligence in Southern Europe and convert it into a global technological pole of attraction in artificial intelligence; for these reasons, the government of Catalonia has put priority on preparing the Catalan Artificial Intelligence Strategy and setting it into motion.
The Catalan Artificial Intelligence Strategy is an initiative coordinated by the Catalan Ministry of Business and Knowledge, with the participation of the different ministries of the government of Catalonia. The Strategy will deploy a multi-sectoral, cross-cutting people-centred plan that prioritises sectors such as health, mobility, sustainability, productive economy, the agri-food sector and public services, and it will be established in an action plan that revolves around the pivotal elements listed below.
• Ecosystem: promote a governance model that supports the development of a coordinated ecosystem of artificial intelligence connected to the rest of the world;
• Research and innovation: boost research and innovation by applying specific instruments and establishing synergies among public authorities, specialised research and innovation centres and organisations that use artificial intelligence intensively;
• Talent: create, attract and retain specialised talent that fosters the development of artificial intelligence solutions and transfer of knowledge to society, while training citizens and professionals of other sectors to be ready for its impact;
• Infrastructure and data: have the necessary infrastructures for the development of artificial intelligence and provide secure access to public and private data;
• Adoption of artificial intelligence: promote the incorporation of artificial intelligence to drive
innovation in public administration and strategic sectors, including agri-food, healthcare and well-being, the environment, mobility, tourism, culture and industry;
• Ethics and society: promote the development of ethical artificial intelligence that respects applicable legislation, is compatible with our social and cultural norms and focuses on people.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is advanced digital technology that enables machines to reproduce or exceed some of the skills that require intelligence when performed by humans. This includes technologies that give machines the ability to learn and adapt, hear and interact, reason and plan, optimise procedures and parameters in order to extract knowledge from huge amounts of data and operate autonomously.
Artificial intelligence is a reality that is already influencing people’s decisions, safety, marketing and communication strategies and even medical treatments. Although machines do not have generalist intelligence yet and neither has it been possible to give them common sense, they possess intelligence for very specific tasks that surpass the efficiency of human intelligence. This is creating an enthusiastic surge in the adoption of this discipline in many areas of our lives, although the ethical and legal impacts have not been evaluated in depth, a fact that poses a risk.
In recent years, artificial intelligence has become one of the most significant technological trends with a cross-cutting capacity to change many areas: society, economy, industry, culture, ecology, mobility, public administration and ethics and its cross-cutting nature implies having to consider all the possible stakeholders. The contribution and convergence of different views is both enriching and necessary for the sustainable and comprehensive development of artificial intelligence.
The artificial intelligence sector is expected to grow considerably between 2020 and 2030. According to estimations, by 2021 80% of online interactions between smart bots, 1 powered by artificial intelligence, and humans, by way of chats or applications that operate with the voice, will be automated, thus offering a unique and personalised experience. The same year, over 90% of companies around the world are expected to have adopted some kind of solution or AI application. Some of the most notable applications will be in the field of cybersecurity, business intelligence, market analysis, among others.
In this regard, several countries have already implemented an AI strategy, under which they orchestrate strategic investments to boost their artificial intelligence capabilities. These countries include the United States, Israel, Canada, China, Singapore, South Korea, India, New Zealand, and in Europe, the United Kingdom, France and Finland. They all have similar strategies that coincide with the ethics of their applicability, the significant role that has to be played by public services and the need to promote research, training, and academic and entrepreneurial talent.
Along these lines, on 25 April 2018, the European Commission adopted its artificial intelligence strategy for Europe which marked the start of a coordinated plan with Member States to encourage the development and use of artificial intelligence in Europe. Within this framework, the Commission requested Member States to approve their respective national AI strategies and focus them on four key areas: increase investment, make more data available, foster talent, and ensure trust in AI.
Coordination needs to be stronger to convert Europe into the world leader of the development and implementation of advanced, ethical and safe artificial intelligence.
Catalonia has a long history as a leader in technological innovation and talent development, starting with the first industrial revolution and the first railway, which included achieving numerous social, industrial and economic milestones, and ending up in this specific field with the creation of the MareNostrum, one of the most internationally renowned supercomputers. The Barcelona Supercomputing Center has recently received funding from the EC to build the MareNostrum 5, which will multiply the machine’s current power by 17 and convert it into Europe’s most powerful supercomputer. Catalonia is also a leader in the field of artificial intelligence, demonstrated by the excellent scientific and academic community of international prestige, which places Catalan universities, research and technology centres at the forefront of this field in Europe.
This document clearly shows that Catalonia has the capabilities and potentialities to place the country in a privileged position to lead the development and adoption of artificial intelligence in Southern Europe and convert it into a global technological pole of attraction in artificial intelligence; for these reasons, the government of Catalonia has put priority on preparing the Catalan Artificial Intelligence Strategy and setting it into motion.
The Catalan Artificial Intelligence Strategy is an initiative coordinated by the Catalan Ministry of Business and Knowledge, with the participation of the different ministries of the government of Catalonia. The Strategy will deploy a multi-sectoral, cross-cutting people-centred plan that prioritises sectors such as health, mobility, sustainability, productive economy, the agri-food sector and public services, and it will be established in an action plan that revolves around the pivotal elements listed below.
• Ecosystem: promote a governance model that supports the development of a coordinated ecosystem of artificial intelligence connected to the rest of the world;
• Research and innovation: boost research and innovation by applying specific instruments and establishing synergies among public authorities, specialised research and innovation centres and organisations that use artificial intelligence intensively;
• Talent: create, attract and retain specialised talent that fosters the development of artificial intelligence solutions and transfer of knowledge to society, while training citizens and professionals of other sectors to be ready for its impact;
• Infrastructure and data: have the necessary infrastructures for the development of artificial intelligence and provide secure access to public and private data;
• Adoption of artificial intelligence: promote the incorporation of artificial intelligence to drive
innovation in public administration and strategic sectors, including agri-food, healthcare and well-being, the environment, mobility, tourism, culture and industry;
• Ethics and society: promote the development of ethical artificial intelligence that respects applicable legislation, is compatible with our social and cultural norms and focuses on people.
.webp)