The Government of Catalonia reaffirms in Brussels its commitment to the efforts to achieve European technological sovereignty and ethical AI

Maria Galindo, the Secretary of Digital Policies of the Department of Business and Labour, has met with various representatives of the European Commission to reaffirm the Government of Catalonia’s commitment to the efforts to achieve European technological sovereignty and to promote the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, Secretary Galindo has had working meetings with the Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT), the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG R&I), and the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). She has also had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the work lines of the recently created EU AI Office.

These meetings have also served to explain to the European Commission interlocutors the various strategies that the Government, through the Secretariat of Digital Policies, is driving in the field of advanced digital technologies, mainly AI, NewSpace, and Quantum. Moreover, Secretary Galindo has had the chance to present the Alliance for Disruptive and Emerging Technologies (DETA), also to representatives of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

“From the Government, we want Catalonia to be an international benchmark not only in the development and adoption of AI but also in leading the European stance on digital and technological matters, ensuring ethical principles, democratic values, human rights, sustainability, and the future of our planet,” stated Secretary Maria Galindo from Brussels.

Day of debate on the ethical challenges of AI in the field of health

During the visit of the Secretary of Digital Policies to Brussels, the Government of Catalonia’s delegation to the EU hosted the event “A Roadmap for an Ethical AI in Healthcare,” an international meeting to discuss the ethical challenges arising from the implementation of AI in healthcare. The session, part of a global project on AI and health that includes similar events around the world, was driven by King’s College London and the DETA alliance, which is currently chaired by the Government of Catalonia.

The event, chaired by Secretary Galindo and the Deputy Representative of the Government of Catalonia to the EU, Laura Rius, and led by Dr. Raquel Iniesta from King’s College London, also featured interventions by Tomislav Sokol, Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for the European Health Data Space regulation, which comes into effect today, and Lorena Boix, Deputy Director-General for Health at the European Commission.

In her welcome address, Deputy Representative Laura Rius emphasized that “ethics in AI is crucial, especially in healthcare, as it ensures patient privacy, impartiality, and transparency, directly influencing trust and treatment outcomes.” “This is particularly relevant now, with the European Artificial Intelligence Act in effect since August 1, 2024, and the European Health Data Space Regulation, which has come into effect to standardize the exchange of electronic health data across the EU,” she added.

The session concluded with a roundtable on the ethical integration of AI in healthcare, featuring Susanna Aussó, head of the AI Program at the Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya; Cristian Pascual, president of Barcelona Health Hub; Manuel Ballotta, from the European Federation of Nurses; and Sara Roda, from the Standing Committee of European Doctors.

SOURCE: Government of CAtalonia press release