Professional Documents
Culture Documents
General Questionnaire C L R R: Ivil AW Ules On Obotics
General Questionnaire C L R R: Ivil AW Ules On Obotics
Disclaimer
This document is a working document of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the European
Parliament for consultation and does not prejudge any future decision to be taken by the
European Parliament. The public consultation is prepared by the European Added Value Unit
of the Directorate General for European Parliamentary Research Service on the request of the
Committee on Legal Affairs.
The views reflected on this consultation paper provide an indication on the approach the
Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament may take.
The responses to this consultation paper will provide important guidance to the Committee
on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament when preparing, if considered appropriate,
formal proposals. The results of the Consultation may also feed into the forthcoming
European Parliamentary Research Service’s ‘Cost of Non-Europe on Robotics and Artificial
Intelligence’ Report.
You are invited to reply by 30 April 2017 at the latest to the online questionnaire available
on the following webpage:
https://opinio.secure.europarl.europa.eu/opinio/s?s=secured_robotics
Please note that to ensure a fair and transparent consultation process only responses received
through the online questionnaire will be taken into account and included in the report
summarising the responses. The pdf version provided here is for information purposes only.
Before completing the questionnaire please read the User Guide and Specific Privacy
Statement carefully.
1
Executive Summary
Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) have become one of the most prominent technological
trends of our century. The swift increase in their use and development presents new and
difficult challenges to our societies. Transfer from the industrial sector to the civil society
environment requires a different approach to these technologies, as robots and AI increases
their interaction with humans in very diverse fields.
The Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament believes that the risks posed by
these new interactions should be tackled urgently, ensuring that a set of core fundamental
values is translated into every stage of contact between robots, AI, and humans. In this
process, special emphasis should be given to human safety, privacy, integrity, dignity and
autonomy. It is crucial that regulation provides predictable and sufficiently clear conditions
to incentivise European innovation in the area of robotics and AI. Furthermore, issues related
to the ethics, standardisation, intellectual property rights, data ownership, employment and
liability should be addressed as a matter of priority.
The aim of this consultation is to launch a broad based debate with a wide range of
stakeholders on the European Parliament report on Civil Law Rules on Robotics
(2015/2103(INL)).1 This consultation specifically seeks views on how to best address the
challenging ethical, economic, legal and social issues related to the developments in the area
of robotics and AI for civil use, as identified in the report. The European Parliament is to
debate and vote on the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs in Plenary, in February 2017.
The current public consultation will contribute to possible further European Parliament
initiatives. This consultation will contribute to assessing the feasibility and content of further
potential EU policy initiatives on robotics and AI, to maximise the socio-economic
opportunities provided by these technological developments for businesses, citizens and
governments, and minimise possible negative disruptions. Furthermore, the results of the
Consultation may also feed into the forthcoming European Parliamentary Research Service’s
‘Cost of Non-Europe on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence’ Report.
1
Report with recommendations to the Commission on Civil Law Rules on Robotics.
(2015/2103(INL)), Rapporteur: Mady Delvaux (S&D, Luxembourg), available in all EU languages at
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&reference=A8-2017-0005&language=EN
2
Important: Please do not fill this paper version of the questionnaire. This questionnaire is
for information and guidance only. Please also note that the paper version of the
questionnaire includes all the questions. When you fill the survey online, you will not see
all of the questions; only those applicable to your chosen respondent category and to other
choices made when you answer previous questions
o a private individual
o an organisation or a company
o a public authority or an international organisation
2. Please choose from one of the following options on the use of your contribution:
3
5. Email address:
In the interests of transparency, the European Parliament asks organisations who wish to
submit comments in the context of public consultations to provide the Parliament and the
public at large with information about whom and what they represent by registering in the
Transparency Register and subscribing to its Code of Conduct. If an organisation decides
not to provide this information, it is the European Institution’s stated policy to list the
contribution as part of the individual contributions. (Consultation Standards, see
COM (2002) 704; Better Regulation guidelines, see SWD(2015)111 final and
Communication on ETI follow-up, see COM (2007) 127).
If you are a registered organisation, please indicate your Register ID number below when
replying to the online questionnaire. Your contribution will then be considered as
representative of the views of your organisation. If your organisation is not registered, you
have the opportunity to register now.
It is important to read the specific privacy statement for information on how your personal
data and contribution will be used.
o yes
o no
4
12. Is your organisation a multinational enterprise (groups with establishments in more than one
country)?
o Yes (if yes then Q12)
o No
13. Is your organisation a multinational enterprise with establishments outside of the EU?
o Yes
o No
o 1-9 o 250-499
o 10-49 o 500 or more
o 50-249
16. Where are you based (resident) and/or where do you carry out your activity?
17. Field of activity or sector2 (if applicable): choose at least one option
2
Statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community (NACE), for details on the classification please
consult Eurostat http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/3859598/5902521/KS-RA-07-015-EN.PDF/dd5443f5-b886-40e4-
920d-9df03590ff91?version=1.0.
5
o Arts, entertainment and recreation o Other service activities
18. Has your organisation received funding from the EU in the last five years?
o Yes
o No
o Specify the type of funding (i.e. R&D, start-up funding) (optional)
(free text field)
19. Finally, if required, may the European Parliament services contact you for further
details on the information you have submitted?
o Yes
o No
6
III. B. Specialised Questionnaire
The specialised questionnaire is structured in two parts: in Part 1 (15 questions) we wish to
explore your experiences, and preferences, and the impacts on your industry of the
technological development of robotics and AI; in Part 2 (6 sections) we welcome views on the
concrete policy options as developed in the report by the European Parliament Committee on
Legal Affairs.
7
* Part 1. Challenges, key issues and impacts of technological developments in the area of
robotics and AI on your industry/organisation
In this section, we seek your views on the challenges, key issues and impact that your
organisation/industry faces as a result of technological developments in the area of robotics
and artificial intelligence. Please justify your choice(s). Where possible, please provide
references to any evidence, data, reports or studies.
2. In your field, what are the key obstacles/barriers to market development in robotics
and AI? (more than one answer possible)
o EU legal framework
o National legal framework
o access to funding and investment
o human resources, i.e. employee skills or training
o public attitudes/acceptance
o technical issues related to the development of the technology
o technical issues related to testing and application of technology
o technical issues related to physical infrastructure
o other
8
o No EU action is necessary
o Other
if you consider it necessary please provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
6. What are the societal and economic impacts that developments of robotics and AI
bring, or could potentially bring to your field in the short to mid-term? (multiple
answers)
9
diagnosis in the health sector, on time delivery of goods)
o end users negatively impacted by diminishing level of privacy
o end users negatively impacted by the lack of ‘personal’ service, for example in the
health sector or care for elderly
o societies benefit from more efficient use of resources
o societies benefit from more sustainable use of resources
o societies benefit from better quality of life though innovation and technological
solutions (i.e. in services, in healthcare)
o societies are negatively affected by diminishing level of protection of fundamental
rights (i.e. privacy, data protection)
o labour markets are negatively affected by technologies (i.e. change in the nature of
work, mismatch between available and needed skills)
o companies benefit from new business opportunities
o companies are subject to increased competition
o companies are subject to the increase shortage of necessary, highly skilled
workforce
o no impacts at all
o Other
Please explain the developments and provide estimates on the scope of the
impacts if possible (free text)
7. In addition to actions at national level, what added value does the EU bring, or
potentially bring to your field in the context of new technological developments in
robotics and AI?
8. Are there areas in your industry where potential innovation and growth based on new
technological developments are at a standstill, due to a lack of or outdated EU law and
policy?
o yes
o no
9. You have indicated that EU law and policy is lagging behind your
10
industry/organisation’s needs, what in your opinion are the main problems? Please
explain:
(free text,)
10. You have indicated that EU law and policy is lagging behind your
industry/organisation’s needs, what in your opinion is the financial impact of those
issues being unresolved? (Please provide estimate if possible):
(free text,)
11. You have indicated that EU law and policy is lagging behind your
industry/organisation’s needs, what in your opinion can be done to address the
situation? What types of measures/incentives/investments are necessary? At what
level? (Please explain):
(free text)
12. What is the net impact of increased digitalisation and automation in your
industry/organisation on employment?
o employment lost
o employment gained
o there are shifts in the value chain and profile of employees needed
o no impact
o other
please explain (free text)
13. You have indicated that developments in robotics and AI have an impact on
employment in your industry. Please explain, i.e. where are the gains or losses? What
type of shifts in employment profiles are taking place? Which employee profiles are at
risk, and which profiles are in demand? What kind of measures at EU level you would
support to address the impacts on the labour market and employment structures?
(free text)
14. What measures, should the EU adopt to address societal and economic risks related
to the development and use of robotics and AI in your field?
(free text)
15. Which industry (sector) do you think will experience fastest economic growth in the
next three-five years, due to the development and application of robotics and AI?
(Maximum three answers):
11
o manufacturing o marine robotics
o healthcare o mining and minerals robotics
o agriculture o financial services
o logistics and transport o law enforcement
o consumer robots (i.e. domestic o emergency and rescue services
appliances, education, assisted living) o gaming and entertainment industry
o aerial robotics o other (please specify/max. 250 words)
16. In your opinion, what are the key policy areas where EU intervention is most urgent? (max. three)
o autonomous vehicles
o drones
o care robots
o medical robots
o technologies for human repair and enhancement
o other
12
Part 2. Your organisation’s views on the policy options developed in the report on Civil Law Rules
on Robotics ((2015/2103(INL)).3
In this section, we look for views on the key issues and possible policy options for the development of a
European framework on robotics and artificial intelligence from the point of view of your
organisation/industry. Please justify your choice(s). Where possible, please provide references to any
evidence, data, reports or studies. This section is organised around six main themes (blocks):
You are welcome to provide feedback to all six themes above, or selectively, only to those you find
most urgent for your industry/organisation.
3
Report with recommendations to the Commission on Civil Law Rules on Robotics (2015/2103(INL)).
.
13
* Section 1: Ethics
1. In your opinion, what are the main risks related to the use of autonomous robots and AI? (max. three
choices)
2. Do you support the introduction of a common European definition for a smart robot?
3. In your opinion what key specific characteristics of a smart robot must be reflected in the
definition of an autonomous robot (more than one choice possible)
Please add ‘other’ choice(s) if you consider it necessary or provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
free text
4. Do you support the establishment of a registration system for advanced robots at EU level?
14
5. In your opinion, this EU level registration system for advance robots should:
6. Do you support the establishment of an EU level framework for socially and ethically conscious
technological development?
o Yes
o No
o I do not know
7. In your opinion, an EU ethical framework should apply to robots from the stage of (more than
one choice possible)
o design o modification
o production o use
o development
8. Please indicate how important or unimportant you consider the following measures to support
socially and ethically conscious technological development? (more than one choice possible)
15
dissemination of these
technologies.
8.4 Development and support
of initiatives and
programmes that facilitate
smoother transition of
socio-ethical technologies
from research to
commercialisation on the
market.
Please add ‘other’ choice(s) if you consider it necessary or provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
free text
9. You have indicated that a guiding ethical framework should be elaborated and adopted at EU level.
In this context, how important are the following initiatives/codes of conduct?
Please add ‘other’ choice(s) if you consider it necessary or provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
free text
10. You have indicated that a code of conduct for robotic engineers should be elaborated and adopted
at EU level. In this context, what in your view are the most important principles that should be
included in the code of conduct?
16
10.2 Non-maleficence – the doctrine
of ‘first, do not harm’, whereby
robots should not harm a
human.
10.3 Autonomy – the capacity to
make an informed, un-coerced
decision about the terms of
interaction with robots.
10.4 Justice – fair distribution of the
benefits associated with robotics
and affordability of homecare
and healthcare robots in
particular.
10.5 Precautionary principle –
anticipating potential safety
impacts of outcomes and taking
due precautions, proportional to
the level of protection, while
encouraging progress for the
benefit of society and the
environment.
10.6 Inclusiveness – allowing for
participation in the decision-
making process by all
stakeholders involved in, or
concerned by, robotics research
activities.
10.10 Accountability – anticipating
and accounting for the social,
environmental and human health
impacts that robotics may
impose on present and future
generations.
10.8 Safety
10.9 Reversibility
10.10 Privacy
10.11 Transparency
Please add ‘other’ choice(s) if you consider it necessary or provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
17
free text
11. Should you have further observations about general principles and ethical issues guiding
development, engineering and use of advanced robots or AI, please share your experience or
suggestions here
(free text)
18
* Section 2. Liability
The use of autonomous machines in our society is linked to inherent potential risks. A robot's behaviour
may have civil law implications, both in terms of contractual and of non-contractual liability. The
liability rules are central as regards attribution of rights and duties, including liability for damages.
1. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement ‘The current EU
regulatory framework on liability is sufficient to address new developments in robotics and AI’
(multiple choices are possible)
2. Do you agree with the following statement ‘Robots should have a specific legal status’?
3. Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the each of the following statements
related to the type of legal status robots should have:
19
Please add ‘other’ choice(s) if you consider it necessary or provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
4. Please indicate to what extent you support or oppose each of the following statements related to
the allocation of risks related to the use of autonomous robots:
Please add ‘other’ choice(s) if you consider it necessary or provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
free text
5. Please indicate your opinion regarding which issues related to the regulation of liability and
damages require the most urgent intervention at EU level:
6. Please indicate to what extent you support or oppose the establishment of an obligatory insurance
scheme for damages caused by autonomous robots:
7. Please provide suggestions as to what should be the scope of the coverage of this insurance scheme,
i.e. what risks it should cover: (optional question)
free text
8. Please indicate to what extent you support or oppose the establishment of a compulsory insurance
and compensation fund (if support Q 8)
20
9. Please provide suggestions as to how this compulsory insurance scheme should be operated:
(optional question)
(free text)
10. Should you have further observations about liability issues please share your experience or
suggestions here:
(free text)
21
* Section 3: Connectivity, intellectual property rights, and the flow of data
1. Please indicate to what extent you support or oppose the following statements on the necessity
for EU action(s) related to connectivity, intellectual property rights, and the flow of data? The EU
should take action(s) ...
Strongly Support Neutral Oppose Strongly I do not
support oppose know
1.1 To develop a balanced approach
to intellectual property rights
when applied to hardware and
software standards, and codes
that protect innovation and at
the same time foster innovation.
1.2 To support a horizontal and
technology neutral approach to
intellectual property applicable
to the various sectors in which
robotics could be employed.
1.3 To elaborate criteria for an
‘own intellectual creation’ for
copyrightable works produced
by computers or robots.
1.4 To foster development of
standards for the concept of
privacy by design.
1.6 To foster development of
standards for the concept of
privacy by default.
1.7 To foster development of
standards for the concept of
informed consent.
1.8 To foster development of
standards for the concept of
encryption.
1.9 To elaborate criteria to ensure
that the use of personal data as
a ‘currency’ does not lead to a
circumvention of the basic
principles governing the right to
privacy and data protection.
1.10 To set a framework that will
meet the connectivity
requirements for the EU’s
digital future.
1.11 To set a framework to ensure
that access to broadband and
22
5G network is fully in line with
the net neutrality principle.
1.12 To ensure that civil law
regulations are consistent with
Regulation (EU) No 2016/679
(the General Data Protection
Regulation).
1.13 To review rules and criteria
regarding the use of cameras
and sensors in robots.
1.14 To ensure transparent
mechanisms for data subjects.
1.15 To ensure that appropriate
remedies are available for data
subjects in compliance with EU
data protection law.
Please add ‘other’ choice(s) if you consider it necessary or provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
2. What issues related to developments in the robotics and AI sector should the EU address as a
matter of priority? (max. three choices)
3. In your opinion, what are the biggest obstacles and deficiencies related to intellectual property
rights, connectivity, and flow of data in the current EU regulatory framework?
4. Should you have further observations about connectivity, intellectual property rights, and the
flow of data, please share your experience or suggestions here:
23
* Section 4: Standardisation, safety and security
1. Please indicate, whether you agree or disagree with the following statements: ‘the development of
EU standards in the field of AI and robotics technologies are of key importance ...’
Please add ‘other’ choice(s) if you consider it necessary or provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
2. Please indicate how important or unimportant the following EU actions in the area of
standardisation, safety and security, are for your industry?
Please add ‘other’ choice(s) if you consider it necessary or provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
3. In your opinion, what are the biggest obstacles and deficiencies in the current EU regulatory
24
framework related to standardisation, safety and security for robotics and AI?
free text
4. Should you have further observations about standardisation, safety and security, please share
your experience or suggestions here:
free text
25
* Section 5. Education and employment
1. Please indicate to what extent you support or oppose the following statements related to the
necessity for EU action(s) in the area of education and employment in the context of technological
developments in robotics and AI: ‘the EU should take action(s) ...’
Strongly Support Neutral Oppose Strongly I do not
support oppose know
1.1 to support women in
information and communication
technologies (ICT).
1.2 to modernise educational
systems to boost e-skills and
competences.
1.3 to support training and
retraining of people already in
the labour market.
1.4 to support occupational health
and safety at work.
1.5 to support the involvement of
social partners.
1.6 to reduce inequalities and social
exclusion.
1.7 to develop mechanisms for job
security, i.e. working and career
patterns shaped by
digitalisation.
1.8 to systematically monitor what
types of jobs and tasks are taken
by robots.
1.9 to systematically monitor what
new types of jobs are created as
a result of developments in
robotics and AI.
1.10 to systematically analyse what
societal challenges arise.
Please add ‘other’ choice(s) if you consider it necessary or provide additional explanation on the
choice(s) selected above
2. Based on the developments in your industry related to and resulting from use of robots and AI, please
indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: ‘there is mismatch between skills
available on the labour market and the skills necessary’.
3. Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the introduction of corporate reporting
requirements on the extent and proportion of the contribution of robotics and AI to the economic
26
results of a company for the purpose of social security contributions:
4. Please indicate to what extent you support or oppose introduction of corporate reporting
requirements on the extent and proportion of the contribution of robotics and AI to the economic
results of a company for the purpose of taxation:
5. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: ‘considering
developments in the area of robotics and AI, social security systems need to be adjusted to provide
appropriate protection to employees’.
6. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: ‘considering
developments in the area of robotics and AI, labour laws need to be adjusted to provide
appropriate protection to employees’.
7. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: ‘restrictions or a ban on
partial or total automation of certain tasks or jobs should be introduced in order to guarantee
safety’.
8. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: ‘restrictions or a ban on
partial or total automation of certain tasks or jobs should be introduced in order to guarantee
respect of fundamental human rights’.
9. Please indicate, in which areas you consider that the use of fully autonomous robots should be
banned or restricted:
o Manufacturing o Healthcare
27
o Leisure o Space exploration
o Domestic use, such as cleaning o Agriculture
o Military and security o Transport\logistics
o Search and rescue o None
o Education o I do not know
o Care of children, elderly, and the o Other (please explain)
disabled
10. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: ‘in the light of the
possible effects on the labour market of robotics and AI, a general basic income should be
introduced’.
11. Should you have further observations about education and employment, please
share your experience or suggestions here:
(free text)
28
* Section 6. Institutional coordination and oversight
1. In your opinion, in order to provide the technical, ethical and regulatory expertise
on developments in the area of robotics and AI:
2. You have indicated support for the establishment of a new EU-level European agency
for robotics and artificial intelligence. In your opinion, what task(s) should this agency
fulfil?
3. You have indicated support for tasks related to robotics and AI to be designated to an
existing EU agency, which agency do you propose?
4. Should you have further observations about institutional cooperation and oversight,
please share your experience or suggestions here
Free text
29
IV. Other issues and further information
1. Please provide details of any other issues related to robotics and AI to which you
would like to draw the European Parliament’s attention, or which you consider should
be addressed.
Free text/
2. Please provide references to any studies or documents that you think are relevant
for this consultation. If possible, please provide links.
Free text/
Free text/
Free text/
THANK YOU
30