Its stance on artificial intelligence and digitalisation was presented at a conference in Helsinki last week, where the EESC argued that the digital revolution must have a human face, be inclusive and bring benefits for all Europeans.

Ariane Rodert, president of the EESC Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT), said that artificial intelligence was one of the main political priorities of the EESC’s current presidency and that it must be developed in a safe, unbiased way and, above all, must be in keeping with the values of the EU. "We need to ensure that artificial intelligence and its applications promote people’s wellbeing and empowerment, with due respect for fundamental rights," she said.

Pierre Jean Coulon, president of the EESC Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN), added: "Digitalisation is everywhere: in health, transport and energy, and it affects the lives of everyone. For this reason, we need to regulate developments in this field, to make sure that everybody can contribute to and benefit from the digital economy and society."