Robots join rally in Warsaw calling for AI regulation
In Warsaw, Poland, around 30 robots took part in a demonstration outside the Ministry of Digital Affairs. The organizers called for a broader public discussion and legal regulation of the impact of artificial intelligence and robotization on the labor market, Notes from Poland reports.
The robots were arranged in several rows: they waved Polish flags and chanted slogans calling for rules to be introduced and jobs to be protected. The demonstration was held by the Democratism group, which said that society should discuss in advance the consequences of automation for employment.
Protection of workers
The organizers noted that new technologies may create opportunities for some people, while others will have to retrain or move to entirely different jobs. In their view, it is necessary to determine who will be responsible for preparing people for these changes, how workers should be protected during the transition period, and what the retraining mechanism should be.
The Democratism initiative was launched by Delta Robots, a company that rents out robots for events. In a comment to Gazeta.pl, company representative Grzegorz Kulisz acknowledged that the campaign also has public relations significance for Delta Robots. At the same time, he expressed concern about the possible consequences of a lack of regulation.
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A website created to gather support for a broader discussion of the impact of AI and robotization had 61 signatures at that time.
The ministry's position
Polish Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski came out to meet the demonstration's participants and said that the ministry's goals correspond to their concerns, and that people are a priority in the ministry's work. He also said that his ministry is working on regulation in this area.
According to local outlet O!Polska, the minister announced plans to create a committee on the development and safety of artificial intelligence. In addition, the ministry plans to introduce so-called “sandboxes,” where companies will be able to test AI-based solutions before wider implementation.
For his part, Kulisz told Gazeta.pl that the draft law on artificial intelligence systems being considered by the lower house of the Polish parliament, the Sejm, contains too few practical mechanisms to protect workers who may be affected by automation.
