The Slovenia Times

AI and cyber security high on Slovenia's presidency agenda

PoliticsScience & Education

Luxembourg - Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik attended a session of the EU's Telecommunications Council in Luxembourg on Friday to present Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in digitalisation. He said that Slovenia was placing digitalisation, development of artificial intelligence and cyber security high on the agenda.

"We will support development that will enable greater digital autonomy of the EU. This includes improvement of connectivity, and development of a secure, effective and resilient digital infrastructure," Koritnik was quoted in the ministry's press release.

According to him, this includes 5G, improvement of digital know-how and skills, available digital public services and creation of a favourable environment for development, testing and use of new technologies.

The minister added that Slovenia would also look to secure an "appropriate measure of security and privacy, consistent respect of human rights and ethical principles", which would be properly communicated to citizens.

Artificial intelligence and data will be of major importance for the implementation of goals of digital transformation and autonomy, and Slovenia's presidency will focus on progress in negotiations on the regulation of artificial intelligence.

The regulation is expected to create a general framework for further regulation of this field, formally define artificial intelligence and limit risks brought by its broad use, the minister said.

In the field of re-use, processing and exchange of data and data economy, the Slovenian presidency will continue with the debate on the act on data management and initiate discussion on the act on data.

Providing cyber security will also be in the forefront, with the minister saying that the cyber aspect needed to be included in a comprehensive crisis response.

"Due to the great exposure of the EU in cases of cyber treats in its immediate neighbourhood, Slovenia will also support construction of cyber capacities in the Western Balkan countries," Koritnik added.

The Public Administration Ministry will organise several events during the presidency, including an event on digitalisation of cities and villages in July and a conference on cyber security and artificial intelligence in September.

During the debate, Koritnik welcomed the 2030 Digital Compass programme and said regarding the regulation on roaming that additional new measures needed to secure transparency, quality service and access to emergency communication to end users.

The minister also held several bilateral meetings, including with Finnish Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka, German Economic Affairs and Energy Ministry State Secretary Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker, Portuguese Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Pedro Nuno Santos and Czech Industry and Trade Ministry State Secretary Petr Očko.

Share:

More from Politics