Europe’s control over AI discussed at TechBBQ in Copenhagen
At the TechBBQ conference in Copenhagen, investors, startup founders, and representatives of the technology sector from various European countries discussed not only the creation of artificial intelligence-based products, but also who should control this technology. Participants spoke about the possibility for Europe to strengthen control over AI models and the infrastructure on which they operate, TechCrunch reports.
Technological autonomy
The discussions took place after Anthropic’s Mythos and Fable AI models became unavailable to users outside Europe earlier this year. The incident prompted some representatives of Europe’s technology ecosystem to consider ownership of AI models and infrastructure rather than dependence on US and Chinese technologies.
One startup executive told the publication that the unavailability of the models significantly disrupted the work of his development team. Another source was more relaxed about the situation, although he acknowledged that dependence on two other geopolitical centers of power could create serious problems for Europe in the future.
Angel investor and head of partnerships at Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator Ellen de Brever said the conference theme, “Emerging from Agency,” was particularly relevant. According to her, the focus of conversations shifted from AI’s capabilities to what people are willing to allow this technology to do. She also noted that discussions concerned human judgment and who would retain control over decision-making processes.
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Privacy and concentration of influence
Signal President Meredith Whittaker, speaking on a panel about the compatibility of privacy and AI, opposed integrating AI assistants and agents into operating systems. She mentioned, in particular, ChatGPT’s integration with iMessage, and said that the current AI era is creating a data collection mechanism. In her view, AI labs use marketing to divert attention from the consequences of collecting large volumes of data.
Emad Mostaque, co-founder of Stability AI and Intelligent Internet, spoke about the concentration of influence in the hands of several AI labs. He linked sovereignty to the ability to resist power exercised over an individual.
TechBBQ also hosted panels on the future of women’s health, cooperation between Scandinavian and African innovation ecosystems, and raising capital for the growth of European companies.
