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Watching the news lately shows on the one hand devastated families who have been ruined by the AI-based systems used by the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration to identify fraudsters. On the other hand, it shows how someone leaves the hospital visibly relieved, after the MRI scanner’s AI-driven algorithm caught their cancer at a very early stage, making it possible to intervene in time and with minimal damage caused. Both are examples of the use of AI. But also, both would not or barely happen anymore if stricter AI legislation were to be introduced. The Dutch tax authorities would then – fortunately – no longer be permitted to use profiling software, but the flipside is that it might become illegal to use medical data to further improve the MRI scanner’s algorithm. Crafting sound legislation therefore puts us in an impossible quandary: how do we throw out the negative sides of AI while hanging on to the positives? As Professor of Decision Sciences Marc Salomon replies: “It is precisely this quandary that makes putting in place the right legislation so very tricky.”
An interview with Marc Salomon, professor at the University of Amsterdam.
Interview with Robert Metzke, SVP and Global Head of Sustainability at Philips
In 2007, Philips set an ambitious goal that marked the beginning of Robert Metzke’s journey with the company in 2008: within five years, ensure that 25% of global revenue comes from green products and reduce the company’s operational carbon footprint by 25%. This vision extended to the supply chain, which has since become significantly more energy-efficient. Data analysis has been indispensable in identifying where the company can have the greatest impact. Metzke’s role combines strategy, innovation, and sustainability—elements he finds deeply compelling: “We only have one planet, and soon we’ll have ten billion people, all of whom will want to live decent lives within the Earth’s limits. Innovation allows us to create solutions that meet these fundamental conditions.”