Artificial Intelligence is the new system technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be considered a system technology, similar to the steam engine, electricity, the combustion engine and computer. Taking this approach helps to look beyond the issues of the day and instead make long-term recommendations about how AI can be embedded in society. That is what the WRR argues in its newly published book Mission AI. The New System Technology in the Springer Series: Research for Policy.
Artificial intelligence (AI) appeals to the imagination of the public. Once just a scientific discipline that interested experts and science fiction fans, now AI is regularly the subject of headlines. In recent years, we have seen AI extend beyond the boundaries of the laboratory to society. Notable scientific breakthroughs led to patents and several new applications, which in turn attracted the attention of the private sector. (see Summary Mission AI. The New System Technology)
AI strategies
Numerous governments have developed their own AI strategies. As the use of AI increases, so does the public debate. Civil society, activist scientists and citizens are all becoming increasingly involved in the technology. There is an extensive range of literature on the different ways AI affects society, from studies on privacy, inclusion and autonomy to proposals for principles, standards and regulations for AI.
European Union
The most prominent of these is the European Union's proposal for a law on artificial intelligence. In addition, numerous opinions have been published, focusing on general AI strategies and specific domains. By viewing AI as a system technology, drawing analogies and learning lessons from other similar technologies, you are able to gain some insight into the impact of AI. At this level, the recommendations are also of value to governments in other countries.
The book Mission AI. The New System Technology can be downloaded free of charge (as an ebook) or can be ordered as a deluxe hardcover book via the Springer website.
Springer Book Series: Research for Policy
In this series, we publish internationally relevant studies of the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy. Many of the cross-cutting issues that affect Dutch policymaking, also challenge other Western countries or international bodies. By publishing these studies in this international open access scientific series, we hope that our analyses and insights can contribute to the policy debate in other countries.
More information about the Springer Series can be obtained here.
Publications
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Artificial Intelligence is the new system technology
The animation below briefly explains why we need to think of AI as a systems technology and what that means.
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Five tasks of embedding AI into society
The animation below explains which five tasks of embedding AI into society we are faced with and what that entails.
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Mission AI. The New System Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be considered a system technology, similar to the steam engine, electricity, the combustion ...
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Human rights as benchmarks of artifcial intelligence
In the Working Paper Human rights as benchmarks of artificial intelligence Ernst Hirsch Ballin examines how human administrative ...