Over the last year, the Malta.AI Taskforce and Working Groups have worked hard to develop a strategy that maps the path for the country to gain a strategic global position in the AI field. It also aims to generate investment and position the country as a hub for AI application and niche areas of research and development, supported by a vibrant start-up community. The overall vision is to make Malta a model nation in which AI policy has a positive impact on citizens and business.
The strategy is wide-ranging, looking at the impacts of AI both commercially and socially, as well as the areas of opportunity and the risks deserving of special consideration. The strategy also explores how AI can be deployed widely across government operations to improve citizens’ experiences, expand access to public services and directly improve citizens’ well-being. It includes measures to promote private sector AI adoption and gives significant attention to educational and workforce considerations, which aim to better prepare our current and future generations to prosper in a digital world that will be increasingly defined by automation.
A wide-ranging consultation process
National consultation was central to the development of the Strategy. In March 2019, the Malta.AI Taskforce launched an initial high-level policy document for public consultation entitled Malta: Towards an AI Strategy. Interested experts, members of the public, academia and businesses were invited to provide feedback on the areas of focus. The same day saw the organisation of a well-attended public workshop to elaborate on the policy proposals and engage with Maltese citizens and businesses.
Over the following months, several consultation meetings, focus groups and workshops have been organised with interested stakeholders to discuss the proposed policy measures, and co-develop the Strategy’s individual action items and pilot projects which will be undertaken over the next three years.
AI ethics, legal and certification matters
In early August 2019 a comprehensive ethical framework entitled Malta: Towards Trustworthy AI was released as an additional stand-alone document for public consultation.
A frequent observation amongst the external feedback received was that an ethical framework should not replace a legislative framework, particularly when it comes to technologies such as AI. The Taskforce and Working Group would like to immediately clarify that this was never the intention, as clearly stated in the document. Many observed that ethical principles, in addition to not being directly enforceable in the manner to which the law is, are ultimately subjective and influenced to some extent by the societal beliefs of the person who is being subjected to them. Law, on the other hand, is generally less subjective and more absolute, and hence should be given due focus where AI is concerned.
The Taskforce agrees with those who contend that any upcoming AI-related legislation should treat AI as a technology being applied in various sectors, each with their own unique legal and regulatory concerns. In this way, AI-related legislation is more likely to be sector specific. Nevertheless, a number of such concerns will be common across all sectors and this may give rise to certain pieces of AI-specific legislation in its own right.
The AI Strategy will include provisions for the appointment of a Technology Regulation Advisory Committee. This Committee will have the remit to advise on local laws and regulations that may need to change in order to keep pace with technology and developments at European and global level. To address various comments received in this regard, the Committee will review, amongst other matters, issues relating to privacy and personal data, intellectual property, antitrust, security and the creation of a regulatory sandbox which will seek to provide regulatory exemptions to enable firms to explore and test innovative concepts and solutions with proportionate safeguards in a contained environment for a well-defined duration. The liability frameworks surrounding the use and development of AI will also feature prominently on the Committee’s agenda.
Moving forward
Malta intends to continue its strong tradition of being an innovator and first mover in the area of innovative technologies. The Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) is therefore in the process of creating the world’s first national AI Certification Programme, which will largely be based on Malta’s Ethical AI Framework and its underlying control framework. This will provide applicants with valuable recognition in the marketplace that their AI systems have been developed in an ethically aligned, transparent and socially responsible manner. The aim is to create the right frameworks to help trustworthy AI springboard from Malta to the world, in line with Malta’s vision to become the ultimate AI Launch pad.
On a final note, the Malta.AI Taskforce would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed and provided viewpoints in relation to work carried out to date. The Taskforce looks forward to the public and business community’s support in undertaking the initiatives set out in Malta’s AI Strategy over the next three years. The intention is to lay the foundations for Malta, its citizens and workforce to prosper in this new era, whilst appropriately managing the potential risks.
Wayne Grixti is chairman of Malta.AI Taskforce
Dr Jackie Mallia is a member of the Malta.AI Taskforce