19
May
2026
Watch
Opportunities and challenges presented by a comprehensive artificial intelligence strategy for EU trade (debate)
Mr President. Artificial intelligence is increasingly affecting every area of our lives: From education to healthcare to setting up our smart homes. But artificial intelligence must have clear rules, so that it is a good servant, but not a bad master. One of the areas in which it can help us is international trade. Every day around 12 million packages from online platforms flood us at European borders. Most of them come from China. Many times these packages contain questionable quality, but even this only in the better case, in the worse case, it is a commodity that is full of toxic substances and heavy metals, often made by people who are held in slavery. This is where AI can play a role in controlling these millions of packages at EU borders, tracing these products and their origin. At the same time, it can facilitate customs processes for those packages that are seamless and can move forward quickly. However, in order to fully rely on the help of AI, we need to create the right conditions for its development and use. From access to the necessary raw materials, technology, to setting clear legislative rules. I am glad that we have agreed on these fundamental features with colleagues in this report, because we need artificial intelligence that is ethical and focused on human well-being. With clear and effective rules. And we need to work with democratic partners in particular on all these aspects. I believe that this report can also provide a good basis for the Commission and for its further legislative work.