The White Paper on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Governance, alongside the establishment of a new Council to address AI development and the signing of the Council of Europe AI Convention, are the government’s latest initiatives aimed at advancing AI and data governance policies.
On October 2, 2024 the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitisation released the White Paper, the first policy framework document on the strategic direction for future complementary policies to create a cohesive national ecosystem. It emphasises the ethical, inclusive and sustainable development of AI, aligned with international and European standards, aiming for comprehensive societal benefits.
The document was consulted with the civil society in February 2024 and revised before its final release in October 2024.
What does the White Paper outline?
The White Paper will support the central public administration in its efforts to standardise, operationalise and regulate data governance and the design, development, use and implementation of AI. Doing so, it aims to enhance the positive effects of AI, highlight and capitalise on the national innovative potential in the field of AI, and manage related risks.
General objectives of the White Paper:
- Strengthen the education, research and skills development system specific to AI and data governance;
- Develop resilient infrastructure and reusable and robust datasets within an integrated data ecosystem;
- Support measures to encourage the adoption of AI in society by building an environment of trust;
- Establish a robust governance framework and regulatory environment for AI and data.
The White Paper provides nine key requirements for AI:
- Interoperability: AI systems should interact and collaborate effectively with other systems and technologies, ensuring seamless integration into various applications and environments.
- Human agency: Mechanisms must allow for human intervention should the AI system generate unwanted or erroneous decisions.
- Transparency and explainability: AI systems must be able to explain their decisions and actions in terms humans can understand.
- Safety and security: AI systems must operate safely and be protected against cyber threats.
- Adaptability: AI systems should learn and adapt to environmental changes and response.
- Accountability: AI developers and operators should be responsible for the proper and ethical operation of their systems.
- Accessibility: AI should be accessible and useful to all users, regardless of their technical skills or knowledge. Sustainability: AI systems should be developed and operated in a way that respects the principles of sustainable development and has a minimal impact on the environment.
- Data privacy: AI systems should protect the data they operate with, ensuring that personal data is kept safe and used ethically.
Establishing new body to address AI development
The launch of the White Paper aligns with recent government initiatives in AI and data governance. In August, the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitisation established a Sub-Council on AI and Data Governance (SCIA) to:
- Develop the Normative and Policy Framework;
- Identify Specific Sectoral Needs;
- Facilitate Intersectoral Collaboration;
- Build robust framework and data governance and responsible AI;
- Accelerate AI adoption in the public and private sectors.
SCIA has 21 members including representatives of public institutions, ICT business, international stakeholders and CSOs.
Republic of Moldova signed the Council of Europe AI Convention
On September 5, 2024, Moldova signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. This confirms Moldova’s commitment to European and international standards on AI, ensuring that technological progress is consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
The Convention will guide Moldova in creating its own national framework for AI governance. However, civil society groups remain critical of the treaty due to its significant flaws and the unaddressed calls for comprehensive human rights protection.