BERLIN, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Ninety percent of German companies want artificial intelligence (AI) regulated to clarify questions of liability, according to a study published by the German Association of Technical Inspection Agencies (VdTUEV) on Monday.
"Artificial intelligence is a key digitization technology with enormous opportunities, but it needs a legal framework," said Dirk Stenkamp, president of VdTUEV, at the presentation of the study, for which 500 German companies were surveyed.
The vast majority of German companies believe that products and applications that use AI should be "clearly labeled for users," according to the VdTUEV.
"AI applications should meet certain security requirements if their use endangers human health or their fundamental rights, such as privacy or equality," stressed Stenkamp. According to the VdTUEV, risks could arise in the fields of automated vehicles, medical diagnoses, or employee selection processes.
According to the study, only 11 percent of German companies already use AI applications. The most common reason for not using AI given by companies was a lack of suitable applications, followed by legal uncertainties.
"Medium-sized companies, in particular, do not yet dare to approach artificial intelligence. Many companies lack the know-how, which leads to uncertainties in the use of the technology," explained Stenkamp.
Still, 82 percent of chief executive officers (CEOs) and information technology (IT) managers "feel something positive or very positive" when thinking about AI. According to the study, almost 80 percent of the respondents were also convinced that the use of AI could give them a "decisive competitive advantage."
Last week, a study published by the German digital association Bitkom revealed that more than two-thirds of the country's citizens considered AI primarily an opportunity, boosted by the fact that most Germans already use AI applications in everyday life.
"Those who are better informed also see the inherent potential of artificial intelligence," said Bitkom President Achim Berg. "People realize the crucial role that AI will play in the future. Instead of prohibitions, they want control and security." Enditem
