Romania green lights AI blueprint in line with EU objectives

Romania is the latest country to unveil a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, joining a growing list of nations keen on harnessing the emerging technology for economic advancements.

According to a report by the independent pan-European media network Euractiv, Romania’s government approved a national AI strategy after a lengthy period of regulatory back-and-forth with relevant agencies and the general public. The strategy, designed to run from 2024-2027, is the brainchild of the Romanian tax watchdog and aims to achieve several objectives.

The blueprint seeks to speed up the adoption of AI by Romanian government agencies to improve efficiency and productivity. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu disclosed that integrating AI into government processes will optimize public spending and improve risk analysis before making key decisions.

Apart from government use cases, the blueprint seeks to assist the private sector in the pivot toward AI, a feat which is expected to improve the country’s GDP by a significant sum. Rather than develop in silos, Romanian authorities say the AI blueprint will align itself with the goals and ideals of the European Union (EU).

An alignment with global values is the best course of action for the central European nation while creating a conducive atmosphere for local innovation.

“[Our economic prosperity] will be defined by Romania’s ability to understand, harness, and adapt to the rapid advancements driven by emerging technologies, especially AI,” read a government statement.

To achieve the lofty goals, the government says it will proceed on five main fronts for a robust and watertight approach. The blueprint advocates for increased digital education for AI and other emerging technologies, focusing on the local digital economy, government utilities, and improved cybersecurity infrastructure.

Romanian administrators are leaning on intelligence agencies SRI and SIE to implement the strategies of the blueprint, prompting critics to poke holes in their abilities to perform the complex functions outlined in the document.

In 2023, Romania’s government unveiled an AI-powered chatbot to assist administrators with policy decisions by scouring social media comments for necessary data. The bot earned mixed reviews from critics and enthusiasts alike.

Aligning with the EU

More than a year after the signing of the EU AI Act, several countries are still using the piece of legislation to guide their foray into the ecosystem. A glance at the provisions of the rule book indicates a commitment to consumer privacy and safety while imposing liabilities on AI developers for misuse.

Since then, a group of AI developers has criticized the legislation for being stifling, capable of triggering a capital and talent flight from the region. Despite the perceived flaws in the document, African and Southeast Asian countries are stealing a page from the EU to draft their own AI regulations.

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