Join Professor Werbach and Dragos Tudorache, co-rapporteur of the EU AI Act and one of the most essential AI policymakers in the world, to discuss the world's urgent need for AI regulation and collaboration. They discuss the nuances of the Act's attempt to balance mitigating risk and fostering innovation and dissect the legislation's approach to ensuring trust in AI through technology-neutral language and adaptable mechanisms. Next, they examine the Act's strategic focus on high-risk AI applications, filling gaps not covered by existing EU tech regulations like GDPR and the Digital Services Act. The conversation delves into the rapid integration of generative AI provisions into the Act, its enforcement challenges similar to those experienced with GDPR, and the critical importance of global coordination in AI policy. Tudorache contrasts AI policies between the EU and the US and offers practical advice for businesses preparing for the AI Act's implementation. The discussion also touches on the potential need for future regulations, providing critical insights for stakeholders in the AI sector.

Dragos Tudorache, a Romanian member of the European Parliament and a key figure in European AI policy, has significantly shaped the discourse around AI regulation since his election in 2019. His dedicated leadership in chairing the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age (AIDA) set the groundwork for critical legislative efforts. As one of the two principal negotiators of the EU's pioneering AI Act, Tudorache played an instrumental role in crafting the first comprehensive AI law globally.

EU AI Act

Washington Post calls Dragos Tudorache "The Smartest Politician on AI"

In this episode, Professor Kevin Werbach and Dr. Richard Benjamins, former Chief Responsible AI Officer at Telefónica, discuss Telefónica's journey towards responsible AI, corporate strategies to address these challenges, and Benjamins' views on generative AI and the European AI Act. They explore the role of the Responsible AI Champion in embedding ethical practices across business functions and discuss the dynamics of AI ethics committees, which vary from permission-based to problem-based frameworks. Their conversation highlights the scarcity of AI ethics expertise and the diverse requirements for ethical oversight depending on a company's AI integration level. Benjamins' insights significantly enhance understanding of the global AI regulatory landscape and its future implications.

Dr. Richard Benjamins is a leading expert in responsible AI, previously serving as Chief Responsible AI Officer and Chief AI and Data Strategist at Telefónica. Recognized among the top 100 influential figures in data-driven business, he co-founded OdiseIA, an observatory focused on the ethical and social impacts of AI. His career highlights include being the Group Chief Data Officer at AXA and holding key roles at Telefónica, contributing extensively to Big Data and Analytics. Dr. Benjamins founded Telefónica's Big Data for Social Good department, showcasing his commitment to leveraging data for societal benefits. With an academic background in Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, he has also been involved in academia and research across the globe. His advisory role at BigML underscores his dedication to making machine learning more accessible. His projects have ranged from environmental efforts like air quality measurement in Madrid to healthcare advancements during the pandemic, embodying his advocacy for responsible use of AI to address both current and future challenges in the field.

The AI Way in Telefónica

UNESCO Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Telefónica’s Approach to the Use of Responsible AI

From AI Principles to Responsible AI: Challenges

EU AI Act

Join Professor Kevin Werbach and Elham Tabassi, Associate Director for Emerging Technologies at NIST, as they explore the nuances of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (RMF). Their discussion illuminates the science of measurement, the challenges of operationalizing legal and governance requirements for AI, and the pursuit of standards for trustworthy AI. During the conversation, they delve into the diverse challenges businesses face when adopting the AI RMF and how the Trustworthy AI Resource Center serves as a critical tool to keeping entities at the forefront of technology. They examine the intricate task of measuring AI systems, tackling biases of all kinds, and overcoming the socio-technical barriers that influence the development of standards. With NIST’s non-regulatory role fostering transformative policies, the discussion offers insights into the responsible growth of AI technologies, setting the stage for a future where AI safety and trustworthiness are tangible realities.

Elham Tabassi is Associate Director of Emerging Technologies at NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US Commerce Department, and Chief Technologist of the US government’s new AI Safety Institute. She was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in AI, because of her role in the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, or RMF.

Elham Tabassi: Time 100 Most Influential People in AI

NIST AI Risk Management Framework v. 1.0

Road Map for the AI Risk Management Framework

Fact Sheet: Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence