Fujitsu Laboratories of Europe has become one of the founding partners of the recently launched AI4People initiative, Europe’s first global forum on the social impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI4People aims to bring together the key players involved in shaping the new applications of AI, including the European Commission, the European Parliament, civil society organisations, industry and the media. For Fujitsu, this synchronizes with Fujitsu Laboratories’ global R&D focus on socially responsible AI development, paving the way for a European ethical framework to support future AI initiatives. The first outcomes of the AI4People forum will be presented in November at the Summit on Artificial Intelligence in Brussels.

Fujitsu Laboratories of Europe is one of the Fujitsu Group’s global centers of excellence for AI research, as CEO Dr Adel Rouz explains: “Our R&D focus is underpinned by the principle of improving society, using our cutting-edge technologies to achieve major advances and solve social challenges. In Europe, our wide-ranging R&D includes a key focus on how to apply deep learning together with current and evolving AI technologies. Fundamental to this is creating an ethical framework for a good AI society, recognizing that AI is a powerful force that will reshape our lives, interactions and environments. The AI4People forum is an important conduit for exploring and influencing this process for the common good. We are excited to join this initiative at the early stages of its evolution, and to play our part in shaping future ethical recommendations and policy-making concerning AI.”

AI4People’s President, Michelangelo Baracchi Bonvicini, added: “We are delighted to welcome Fujtisu Laboratories of Europe to our membership, as a key contributor to AI development in Europe. AI is shaping all aspects of our daily practices, as well as fundamental aspects of society. However, it is a very different technology to any we have encountered before and its future must be supported by a clear socio-political design. That is the mission behind AI4People’s foundation, to create the future digital world responsibly and mindfully. With partners such as Fujitsu, we will work together to achieve these goals and ensure a “good AI society” initially for Europe and ultimately for the rest of the world.”