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To give AI-focused female academics and others their deserved – and overdue – time in the spotlight, TechCrunch is launching a series of interviews Focusing on notable women who have contributed to the AI revolution. As the AI boom continues, we’ll be publishing several pieces throughout the year, highlighting key work that often goes unrecognized. Read more profiles Here,
Eva Medel is a Bulgarian politician and Member of the European Parliament. First elected to Parliament in 2014 at the age of 28, she was the youngest member to serve at the time. In 2019, Madel was re-elected to Parliament, where she continues to serve on the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE).
Médel was the ITRE Rapporteur for the EU AI Act, a proposed legal framework to regulate the sale and use of AI in the EU, and was in charge of drafting a report on the European Commission’s proposal – reflecting the opinion of Been ITRE member. MEDEL – in consultation with external experts and stakeholders – was also responsible for drafting the agreement amendments.
Eva Medel, Member of the European Parliament
Briefly, how did you get your start in AI? What attracted you to this field?
When I first became a Member of the European Parliament, I was one of the few young female Members of the European Parliament (MEP) who worked on technical issues. I have always been curious about how Europe can better take advantage of the huge opportunities for technological innovation. The best thing about working in technology is that you’re always looking towards the future. Having worked on the cybersecurity, semiconductor and digital agendas throughout my time in Parliament, I knew that working on the AI Act would be incredibly interesting to me and I would like to use my experience in those areas to bring a new perspective to this world of regulation. Will be able to do it in the first phase.
What work (in the AI field) are you most proud of?
I’m proud of the work we’ve done on the AI Act. We have laid out a common European vision for the future of this technology – one in which AI is more democratic, safer and innovative. Regulators and parliaments naturally think about how to protect and prepare for worst-case scenarios and risks; But I also worked hard to bring competitiveness to the center of this conversation. This includes researching and advocating for open source exemptions, an ambitious approach to the regulatory sandbox, and aligning our work with our international partners as much as possible to reduce market friction.
How do you deal with the challenges of the male-dominated tech industry and, by extension, the male-dominated AI industry?
We are slowly but surely seeing more women in tech and AI. I have female colleagues and friends working in tech who are incredibly talented and really driving the tech agenda. It’s great that we have that network to support each other. I’ve also found that the AI community has embraced me, and that’s what makes working on this issue so interesting and enjoyable.
What advice would you give to women wanting to enter the AI field?
just go for it! Be yourself, don’t think that you have to stick to the same mold or be like other people. Everyone has something unique to offer. The more women continue to share their ideas, perspectives, and voices, the more they will inspire other women to step into the world of tech. Whenever I speak to student groups, or young MEPs, it’s amazing to see so many women interested in entering this field – you can feel the change happening.
What are some of the most pressing issues facing AI during its development?
The biggest challenge for any politician working on technology and AI is trying to regulate it with precision and prepare for the future. Despite all the facts, figures, and research, there is a certain element of “crystal ball” looking. The big issues that politicians need to address are:
First, how can this technology make our economies more competitive while ensuring broader societal benefits? Secondly, how do we stop AI from promoting disinformation? And third, how do we set international rules to ensure that AI is developed and used according to democratic standards?
What issues should AI users be aware of?
The very serious challenge presented by AI as a medium to accelerate the spread of disinformation and deepfakes. This is especially important this year, as 50% of the world will go to vote. We all need to keep a critical eye on the images, videos and news articles we see. As technology improves, we need to be more vigilant against manipulation. This is an issue I am working on extensively right now.
What’s the best way to create AI responsibly?
If we want a future in which AI improves our lives and helps solve our most pressing challenges, it has a key component: trust. We need trust in these technologies.
We cannot rest on our achievements. AI act does not mean that we “become one”. We need to keep asking ourselves what’s next – and that doesn’t necessarily mean more regulation. But it also means keeping a constant eye on the bigger picture – how AI and regulation are impacting our economy, security, and lives.
How can investors better push for responsible AI?
Investing in AI or any innovative technology is no different from investing in any other product. Businesses, banks and corporations are aware of the fact that finance has important qualities of being a positive force in the world around us. Ultimately, scaling AI in a responsible manner is more likely to sustain success, reduce financial risks and failures, and, therefore, build consumer and market confidence.
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