#Romania2019.eu/Impact of AI in European industry, development of single market and reducing polution on COMPET meeting agenda

AGERPRES special correspondent Loredana Ciobanu reports: The Competitiveness Council (COMPET) adopted on Monday, in the first meeting of the Romanian mandate at the EU Council Presidency, the conclusions regarding the coordination plan on the development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) "Made in Europe."

Economy Minister Niculae Badalau, who chaired the COMPET meeting, talked about the crucial importance that the stimulation of development and the use of AI in Europe has, by increasing investments in this sector, strengthening excellence in the area of technologies and applications, as well as by consolidating collaboration on research and innovation between industry and academia.

"These conclusions are the first related to artificial intelligence, but they certainly aren't the last, taking into account the ongoing development in the area, including ethics. For example, we are all agreed that artificial intelligence will have a considerable impact on our lives, including on the functioning of our economy and on the manner in which labour will be organized in the future. The European industry should be prepared in this regard, in order to maintain its competitiveness on the global markets. (...) The European Union should quickly take action and strengthen cooperation regarding the artificial intelligence, exchange good practices, create synergies and maximise the impact of investment in artificial intelligence. This will be the only way through which Europe will manage to catch up with the other main actors," Niculae Bădalau stated.

He also mentioned that a special attention will be granted to strengthening the competitiveness of the European industry and to improving the functioning of the single market and he mentioned that the discussions carried out at the COMPET meeting highlighted the areas of concern and the necessary actions to fully exploit the potential of the single market, with an emphasis on digitisation and innovation, as well as on the closer connection between production of manufactured goods and services.

In the context of the "A clean Europe for all" programme, Minister Niculae Badalau mentioned that it was welcomed the initiative of the Romanian Presidency to actively involve and endorse the vision proposed by the European Commission, which can lead to the fulfillment of the established objective, namely: zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, through a socially equitable and cost-effective transition. AGERPRES (RO - editor: Georgiana Tanasescu; EN - author: Rodica State, editor: Adina Panaitescu)