21.11.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 300/15
efforts in responsible AI in the civilian sphere with those already ongoing in the disarmament, arms control and nonproliferation community at an intergovernmental level.
Crucially, they do not intend to establish any new standards, principles, or regulation, or otherwise step into areas within the competence of States.
Instead, they intend to develop civilian responsible innovation efforts to include peace and security risks presented by the diversion and misuse of civilian AI by irresponsible actors, and provide education on existing relevant intergovernmental efforts.
To effectively reach and impact the civilian AI community, the projects deploy a three-pronged approach, seeking to
(a) engage with educators – work with selected educators and developers of academic curricula on the development and promotion of educational materials that can be used to mainstream consideration of the peace and security risks that flow from the diversion and misuse of civilian AI research and innovation by irresponsible actors in the training of future AI practitioners (e.g. in courses on AI ethics and responsible innovation);
(b) engage with students – introduce selected Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students from around the world to how the peace and security risks posed by the diversion and misuse of civilian AI development by irresponsible actors may be identified, prevented or mitigated in the research and innovation process or through other governance processes; and
(c) engage with the AI industry – work with professional associations and standards bodies like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to i) disseminate tailored education materials and engagement activities to technical professionals; ii) support positive uses of AI for peace and security; and iii) facilitate dialogue and information sharing between experts from academia, the private sector and government on how the risk of the diversion and misuse of civilian AI research and innovation by irresponsible actors can be mitigated.
Such an approach allows the projects to reach the AI community at all levels, including not only current practitioners but also future generations.
It also enables engagement across academic, industry and other silos, and supports the sustainability of future efforts by establishing networks that cross these boundaries.
The projects also seek to employ the convening power and experience of SIPRI and UNODA to impact the AI community globally, not just EU stakeholders.
SIPRI and UNODA are uniquely positioned to reach and facilitate engagement between AI actors from across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North and South America.
Both entities also have experience working in other fields of science and technology facing similar challenges of dual use and proliferation, including biotechnology.
The projects also seek to take advantage of conditions present within the European Union, such as a) the existence of advanced multi-stakeholder processes on responsible AI; b) the high level of engagement in, and expertise on, disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation issues in the EU; c) the diversity of connections that academic, research and private sector organizations in the EU have with other regions, notably in the Global South, which will also be a major target for engagement; and d) the diversity of nationalities of students, educators, and engineers in universities, research institutions and the private sector.
Inclusion will be a core consideration for the conduct of the projects’ activities.
To effectively support the AI community, the projects recognize that the AI community consists of a diverse array of actors, and in particular that
(a) gender is a highly relevant factor.
For this reason, gender will be mainstreamed in line with the UN system-wide gender mainstreaming and parity strategies.
Participation of women in all activities under the project will be encouraged and required; and
(b) inclusion of persons with disabilities and the reasonable accommodation of needs will be carried out throughout.
This will include the addressing of obstacles to the participation of persons with disabilities as well as ensuring that steps are taken to engage with and facilitate the representation of the substantive views and experiences of persons with disabilities.