Development of Standards in the Use of Artificial Intelligence (BG0082)

What is the public problem being addressed by the measure? With the increasing introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into various decision-making processes that directly affect people, more and more issues related to the protection of human rights arise such as: "Who is responsible when human rights are violated as a result of an AI-based decision?"; "Is it possible for AI-based systems to be unbiased and non-discriminatory?" etc. AI-based systems are also finding their place in the public sector, with increasingly ambitious tasks assigned to them – automating the distribution of social benefits, assisting people looking for work, assessing the risk of gender-based domestic violence, etc. In 2019, the Council of Europe published 10 steps to protect human rights when using artificial intelligence (AI). The document places first the need for a legal framework to regulate the performance of human rights impact assessment when introducing AI systems in the public sector. Second in the guidelines is the conduct of meaningful public consultations before the introduction of AI systems in the public sector. Establishing safeguards for the accessibility, rights and safety of AI systems developed and implemented by companies should also be subject to analysis and regulation, in line with the European 16 Commission's 2019 White Paper on AI and the Guidelines on Ethical Aspects of Trusted AI. In Bulgaria, the adoption of legislation regulating AI and guaranteeing the protection of human rights in connection with the use of AI systems is still on a basic level. (Broadly speaking, it ends with the Data Protection Act, which introduced EU data protection legislation.) At the end of 2020, a Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Bulgaria until 2030 was adopted. With the creation of a new Ministry of E- Government, which is the successor of the policy for information society and information technologies from the Ministry of Transport, IT and Communications, the constitution of a Public Council for Information Technologies and Information Society under the Minister of the E- Government is envisaged. Thematic working groups will operate at the Public Council, one of which will be dedicated to Artificial Intelligence. As a guarantee that national plans will be adopted in accordance with the basic principles and international standards in the protection of human rights, it is necessary to ensure the participation of human rights organizations in the Public Council or at the level of working groups.

What does the measure consist of? The measure consists of the following specific areas of activity: • To the working group "Artificial Intelligence" at the Public Council for Information Technologies and Information Society under the Minister of E- Government, to attract human rights organizations that are relevant to the subject of human rights in the process of digitization and the use of AI systems in the implementation of the Concept for the Development of AI in Bulgaria by 2030. • Development of common standards in the use of Artificial Intelligence in the digitization process in order to ensure 17 guarantees of equal access and respect for human rights • Implementation of various forms of public dialog on discussing the standards for the use of Artificial Intelligence

How will the implementation of the measure contribute to solving the problem? The participation of civil organizations that protect the rights of citizens in the working group is necessary to ensure the application of standards for the protection of human rights in the adoption of a regulatory framework and the development of practices in the development and use of AI systems.

How does the measure relate to the values of the initiative? The measure directly affects the increase of honest governance, because it will lead to more transparency in general in the process of developing and using AI in both the public and private sectors. It will ensure a broad public debate, which is necessary to remove various fears in society related to new technologies.

More information (including budget for implementation of the measure) No additional budget is required. Activities for and measurable results of the implementation of the measure: Starting date Date of completion of activity: Inclusion of human rights civil organizations with an opinion on the topic of human rights in the process of digitization and use of AI systems in the working group "Artificial Intelligence" at the Public Council for Information Technologies and Information Society under the Minister of Electronic Government 06.2023 Development of common standards in the use of Artificial Intelligence in the digitization process in order to ensure guarantees of equal access and respect for human rights 06.2023 05.2024 18 Implementation of various forms of public dialog on discussing the standards for the use of Artificial Intelligence 05.2024 12.2024

Action Plan Review

Commitment 4. Public Dialogue on Common Standards in the Use of Artificial Intelligence

● Verifiable: Yes

● Does it have an open government lens? Yes

● Potential for results: Modest