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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SHERPA (Shaping the ethical dimensions of smart information systems (SIS) â€“ a European perspective)

Teaser

Summary

Smart information systems (SIS), the combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics, are key technologies that have the potential to significantly affect most aspects of modern societies. They attract significant public and private investment and are the basis of much public debate. A key aspect of this debate, that is of particular interest to the general public as well as policymakers, refers to the ethical, human rights and broader social consequences of these technologies. These consequences are the subject of significant research and policy activity. For example, the European High Level Expert Group on AI has recently (April 2019) and the OECD (May 2019) published their own ethical guidelines, for achieving beneficial and trustworthy AI.

The SHERPA project contributes to this debate by providing novel insights, based on empirical research and broad stakeholder consultation, to better understand what are these ethical and social issues. It has a special focus on the human rights implications of these technologies. Based on the projectâ€™s original understanding of ethics and human rights aspects of SIS, it explores various options that can be employed to address these issues. Again, working with a broad range of stakeholders, it will evaluate these options and promote, disseminate and advocate the most appropriate ways of addressing the issues.

Work performed

The projectâ€™s initial phase aimed at gaining better understanding of ethics and human rights of SIS. It undertook 10 case studies of organisations or application areas that employ SIS. A further five areas were investigated using the newly developed methodology of policy scenarios. In parallel, the project undertook an analysis of the human rights impacts of SIS and an analysis of technical aspects of cybersecurity vulnerabilities of SIS.

These investigations were accompanied by the creation of a stakeholder board comprising approximately 30 individuals representing a range of stakeholder groups including industry, academia and civil society. The stakeholder engagement of the project is further supported by a stakeholder list including more than 1000 individuals who either signed up to be included or were identified by the consortium as important stakeholders to be contacted.

The project has set up its dissemination and communication activities, including website, social media accounts, short videos and communication tools, such as webinars and regular newsletters.

Furthermore, the project has joined in collaboration with two other projects under H2020, namely SIENNA and PANELFIT. This is with a view to co-creating outputs, guidance and recommendations moving forward in the area of ethics, human right and legals aspects of ICT research and development.

The SHERPA project is in the process of becoming a Partnering project for the Human Brain Project (HBP). The partnership will create synergies between SHERPA and the HBP. Also, it will provide an opportunity for enhancing the visibility and funding opportunities within SHERPA.

Final results

SHERPA progresses beyond the state of the art by being the first project that is undertaking a broad range of empirical investigations of the impact of SIS across a range of application areas. This allows developing a sound understanding not only of specific issues that arise in particular areas but of shared issues and the way they can be seen in different contexts. Such an empirical understanding is crucially important to ensure that relevant options for intervention can be identified, assessed and prioritised.

Given the high profile public debate of AI and big data analytics, it is clear that there is a need for guidance on how to research and develop but also use these technologies. SHERPA will develop guidelines for research into these technologies, which are urgently needed, for example by researchers who plan to undertake EU-funded research in this area. Of similar importance is guidance for the use of these technologies. SHERPA will furthermore explore regulatory options that could be applied to these technologies, including the possibility of establishing a regulator, as well as self-regulatory approaches including standardisation. By also including technical options, the project covers the full range of possibilities and will be in a position to offer the most appropriate solutions required to deal with ethical and human rights implications of the technologies. Finally, SHERPA will find novel ways to communicate its messages, e.g. by using animated films and artistic representations and by targeting decision makers during an advocacy campaign.

Overall, SHERPA expects to make a crucial contribution to the very important discussion of how Europe should engage with and make use of artificial intelligence and big data.