The Czech Republic has been striving to position itself as a leader in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the European Union. With the release of its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) in 2019, the country set forth an ambitious framework to support AI research, development, and adoption across various sectors.
The NAIS, a key component of the country's broader "Innovation Strategy" and "Digital Czech Republic" initiative, outlines seven priority objectives to foster AI growth and competitiveness. These include promoting research and development activities, providing access to data for AI development, upgrading human capital and the educational system, and addressing legal, societal, and ethical aspects of AI. By implementing targeted policy actions across these areas, the Czech government aims to create an enabling environment for AI innovation while mitigating potential risks.
One notable aspect of the NAIS development process was the involvement of various stakeholders, including representatives from the private sector, academia, and social partners. This collaborative approach aimed to ensure a comprehensive and balanced strategy that considers the perspectives of different actors in the AI ecosystem. However, some segments of civil society, such as human rights organisations, were not directly involved in the process, highlighting the need for more inclusive participation in shaping AI policies.
As an EU member state, the Czech Republic is subject to the forthcoming EU AI Act, a ground-breaking legislation that sets harmonised rules for the development, deployment, and use of AI systems across the bloc. The risk-based approach of the AI Act, which imposes stringent obligations on high-risk AI systems and prohibits certain AI practices deemed unacceptable, aligns with the Czech Republic's stated commitment to a human-centric approach to AI. However, the country has also cautioned against overregulation, emphasising the need to strike a balance between setting clear rules and fostering rapid AI development.
In addition to the AI Act, the Czech Republic is bound by other EU regulations that have implications for AI governance, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Law Enforcement Directive (LED). These legal frameworks provide important safeguards for individual rights in the context of data processing and automated decision-making, including the right to obtain information about algorithmic factors and logic.
The Office for Personal Data Protection (DPA), the country's national supervisory authority, plays a crucial role in enforcing data protection rules. However, the DPA has not yet endorsed key international declarations and resolutions on AI ethics and accountability. The Czech Republic also has several human rights oversight bodies, such as the Government Council for Human Rights, which could contribute to monitoring the human rights impacts of AI systems.
Looking ahead, the Czech Republic faces the challenge of translating its AI strategy and regulatory commitments into practice. This will require sustained investment in research and development, capacity building, and public-private partnerships to drive responsible AI innovation. It will also necessitate ongoing dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to address emerging ethical and societal concerns, such as the use of AI in the military domain and the potential for algorithmic discrimination.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/