Sber, the Russian state-controlled financial and digital giant, is joining a Council of Europe technology partnership program. “The parties are set to exchange information, opinions, and best practices while developing interaction and partnership in high-tech fields,” Sber stated.
The agreement was inked on Nov. 10 during Sber’s international AI conference, Artificial Intelligence Journey — in which Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, participated physically.
This partnership program was launched in 2017 by the Strasbourg-based human rights institution to exchange with businesses on new tech projects. The program aims to “facilitate the exchange of experience and opinions with regards to the Council of Europe’s human rights agenda in the digital domain,” says Sber.
Some 14 global tech companies are already participants in the program. These include Apple, Facebook (Meta), Google, IBM, Facebook (Meta), Kaspersky Lab, Microsoft and others.
Over the past few years Sber asserted itself as a major player on the Russian AI scene. It also participates in AI-related discussions or committees setup by international organizations, including the Council of Europe, ISO, OECD, and UNESCO.
“In its work, the Council of Europe strives to exchange views, information and best practices with various stakeholders. In this regard, Sber has established itself as an active and cooperative party, especially when it comes to discussing AI regulation,” Berge said.
“Regulatory issues in the development and application of artificial intelligence are of fundamental importance for the future of humanity. The fourth industrial revolution is unfolding before us, penetrating all areas of our lives and transforming the world around us,” stated Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy chairman of Sber’s executive board.
“We need to establish common ground rules on human interaction in connection with the development of AI technology. That is the only way we can create and successfully scale manageable, interpretable, reliable, and non-discriminatory artificial intelligence for the benefit of all humankind. The partnership between the Council of Europe and leading tech firms is an important venue addressing these issues,” Vedyakhin added.
