IBM at the B7
We are currently in a pivotal moment for AI as the European Parliament has recently voted on the EU AI Act, aiming to regulate and govern the use and implications of this technology. This has prompted governments and enterprises to prepare their own standards regarding AI. AI was a prominent topic at the G7 Ministerial Meeting in Verona, Italy, as well as at the Business Federations gatherings, or B7. I had the opportunity to represent IBM and share our perspective on AI during these industry discussions.
At IBM, we strongly believe that AI can bring significant benefits across various sectors. However, before realizing these benefits, we must address adoption barriers and establish trust in this transformative technology.
From cutting edge to mainstream
Most organizations have begun their AI journey. Research indicates that 42% of large enterprises already have AI in active deployment, with an additional 40% in the experimentation phase (source: IBM Global AI Adoption Index). Despite this progress, many organizations are not fully leveraging the potential of AI solutions. The top three factors hindering progress are limited AI skills and expertise (33%), data complexity (25%), and ethical concerns (23%). IBM is committed to breaking down these barriers by building on our legacy of democratizing technology.
Our strategy involves continued investment in open and transparent innovation around AI. By promoting collaboration and information sharing, we can identify risks early on and work together as an international community to address them swiftly. Initiatives like the AI Alliance foster an open AI community that prioritizes responsibility, safety, and innovation.
We advocate for the development of open market ecosystems around AI to encourage competition and level the playing field for companies of all sizes. Our solutions are designed to tackle complexity at every level, from data to governance to scaling. IBM believes that scaling AI with governance is key to achieving sustainable, ethically responsible AI, which in turn enhances customer trust and corporate reputation.
Building trust is crucial
The core of IBM’s vision for AI is the importance of building confidence in the technology among industry and government stakeholders worldwide. The EU AI Act represents a significant step forward in regulating this rapidly evolving field. Our latest AI Adoption research reveals that 85% of IT professionals agree that consumers are more likely to choose services from companies with transparent and ethical AI practices. Additionally, 83% of companies utilizing or exploring AI consider it important to be able to explain how their AI arrived at a decision.
Navigating the complex global regulatory landscape is a challenge for organizations of all sizes. To address this challenge, we have launched watsonx.governance, an integrated platform designed to demystify AI processes.
IBM fully supports the Hiroshima Principles developed during the Japanese G7 Presidency, which provide a framework for organizations worldwide to develop advanced AI systems that prioritize safety, security, and trustworthiness. We look forward to collaborating with the Italian Presidency to build upon this foundation.
As a next step, we recommend that the G7 establish an AI workstream to compare AI regulatory regimes in member countries against the Hiroshima Principles. This comparative analysis can identify gaps and differences, facilitating the international harmonization of standards and adoption of best practices for AI. By focusing on specific policy areas that need additional attention, such as AI safety, the G7 can accelerate progress in this field.
Embracing the future
While we are at an exciting juncture with AI, there are even more advancements on the horizon, particularly with technologies like quantum computing. We believe that AI and quantum computing will complement each other, with quantum extending classical machine learning rather than replacing it. IBM is pioneering quantum governance to ensure the responsible integration of different technologies, enabling us to address a wider range of challenges, from climate change to global health.
At IBM, we recognize our responsibility to ensure that innovation solves problems faster than it creates them. Openness, transparency, and collaboration are the guiding principles that will enable us to harness the full potential of new technologies to make a positive impact on the world.
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