Artificial intelligence is on the rise and is becoming increasingly important for both the private and public sectors. However, Austria lacks a corresponding holistic strategy. The business community is demanding an AI master plan from the next government.
The development cannot be stopped. Politicians would do well to use artificial intelligence positively and take measures to actively avoid the negative aspects, says Harald Kohlberger, CEO of Consileon – an IT company involved in numerous projects in public administration.
“We need substance and political control over what we do and don’t do with these technological possibilities. Without this, AI is like a sprawling octopus that moves somewhere without control, without approach and without a plan.” Such a development should be viewed very critically, Kohlberger warns.
There are many examples where the state could use AI. One of them is the protection of external borders. Artificial intelligence can help protect against the immigration of illegal refugees and potential terrorists. Another area of application is the labor market; with the help of AI, the right applicants can find the right job.
Kohlberger confirms that Europe lags behind the US and China in terms of technical developments. This is because the circumstances in the US are different, for example on the risk financing side. “You can grow much more easily there as a startup. And of course the regulatory and legal foundations play a role in Europe.”
National Council Election as an Opportunity for AI Program
“Nevertheless, we must simply seize the opportunity, especially when it comes to Austria.” What we lack, however, is a “living master plan for the topic of AI and innovation, tailored to the individual, socially relevant professional fields.” AI solutions are needed in healthcare, education, transport, security and so on.”
We now have a great opportunity, especially with the elections to the National Council, whatever the future government looks like, to install a topic like this in the next government program and create flanks with which the topics can then be implemented in the individual ministries.”
Bad AI systems can ‘hallucinate’
“You also have to give the subject the necessary importance, because otherwise we probably won’t make the next big steps in this area in the future.” Science has often complained in the past that there is too little real energy in systems and structures. Special attention must be paid to the quality of AI systems, says Kohlberger. “There are many AI systems that at some point start to hallucinate. That means they spit out the wrong result.” Quality assurance systems are needed and they are especially challenging in the field of AI.
Consileon is a medium-sized management and IT consultancy that has been active since 2001 and currently employs around 530 people as a German-Austrian company. In addition, it has offices in Poland and a subsidiary in Switzerland.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
