Andorra la VellaThe Secretary of State for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications, Marc Rossell, was in charge this Friday of kicking off the 22nd Andorran Family Business Forum (EFA), an event that this year is entitled ‘La intel artificial intelligence Scenario of challenges and opportunities’. During his speech, Rossell highlighted the opportunities that AI represents for the country and the progress that has been made in digitalization, but he also warned of the need to have good regulation aligned with European standards to in order to ensure the responsible use of this emerging technology.
The Secretary of State recalled that, currently, the Principality “is making great progress in the digitization of the administration” and also in guaranteeing “a regulatory framework that allows it to develop safely”. In fact, he pointed out that in just three years, Andorra has gone from 26th to 11th in the European ranking of the economy and digital security index and has also climbed 50 positions in cyber security worldwide. In this sense, he wanted to highlight “the success” achieved with the company digitization program, “which gives direct support to the business fabric to adapt technology in their processes”, which allows them to “reduce costs and optimize tasks”.
In terms of artificial intelligence, he outlined “significant developments” such as the creation of the Data Intelligence Agency, “whose mission is to optimize data so that it is a single, trusted source.” The body, therefore, “will make it possible to establish an interoperable system that facilitates the application of AI to companies and organizations with useful data for decision-making”, he indicated.
For all that, and aware of the rapid advances in AI, Rossell has highlighted that “regulation is key to guarantee responsible use” of this technology. Thus, he explained that Europe is leading the growth process of AI to apply it in different sectors such as health, justice or public security, all with the aim of “balancing innovation with fundamental rights”. For Andorra, he said, “alignment with Europe is necessary and specific” and, therefore, he was convinced that this regulation would increase “the confidence of citizens and companies”.
In addition, he recalled that Andorra has already signed the framework agreement of the Council of Europe on AI, and the country has also approved a code of ethics on the use of this technology aimed at the public and private sectors “which aims to serve as guides through recommendations for the proper deployment of AI in a reliable manner.” The will of the Government, therefore, is “to be able to extract with this code the maximum potential of this emerging technology and, in parallel, ensure the guarantees of the rights and fundamental freedoms of the people”.
Finally, he pointed out that “Andorra is experiencing an ideal moment for digital transformation”. “The challenge is not only to adapt to technology, but also to anticipate and lead these changes and ensure that Andorra remains competitive in an increasingly digitized world,” he concluded.