Virtual roundtable on labelling initiatives, codes of conduct and other voluntary mechanisms to build trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) systems

On 27 April 2022, RAND Europe organised a virtual roundtable discussion on the use of voluntary, self-regulatory mechanisms to help build trust in artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The discussion drew on findings from a recent RAND Europe study (see link below) examining evidence on the use of labelling initiatives, codes of conduct and other mechanisms to ensure the responsible, safe, and ethical development and adoption of AI systems. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, and industry representatives, and featured a keynote address by Member of the European Parliament Axel Voss. Taking a forward-looking approach, participants considered the practicality of developing various tools and discussed a range of considerations that are of relevance against the backdrop of the European Commission's draft proposals for an EU-wide regulatory framework on AI (the 'AI Act'). The views and ideas generated at the roundtable have been written up in this short publication to stimulate further debate and inform thinking as policy around this issue develops in the coming months. Overall, the discussion focused on themes associated with characterising, designing and implementing voluntary, self-regulatory mechanisms for AI systems.