As the country embraces the potential of AI to transform various sectors, it is also taking measures to ensure that the technology is developed and deployed responsibly, with a focus on ethics, transparency, and accountability.
In 2019, the Danish government unveiled its National AI Strategy, setting out four main objectives:
- Establish a consistent ethical and human-centered foundation for AI
- Prioritise and promote AI research
- Encourage the growth of Danish firms through AI development and use
- Ensure the public sector utilises AI to provide world-class services
Denmark has launched several initiatives, including the establishment of an Independent Data Ethics Council in 2019 to advise the public and private sectors on data-related ethical issues. Additionally, the government has introduced the "D-seal," a labelling scheme developed in collaboration with industry partners to promote data security, protection, and ethics among Danish companies.
As a member of the European Union, Denmark will be subject to the forthcoming EU AI Act. The Act establishes a risk-based regulatory framework for AI systems, banning certain practices deemed unacceptable and imposing stringent obligations on high-risk AI systems. Denmark will need to establish a national supervisory mechanism to ensure compliance with the Act.
Denmark has enacted laws to supplement the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the Danish Data Protection Act. While the country has struggled with GDPR compliance in the past, Danish businesses have invested in data protection measures in recent years to mitigate economic and legal risks. The Government has also established the Danish Institute for Human Rights, which plays a crucial role in ensuring that technological advancements comply with human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Denmark has endorsed various international frameworks and principles related to AI, including the OECD AI Principles, the Global Partnership on AI, and the UNESCO Recommendations on AI Ethics. The country has also participated in discussions on lethal autonomous weapons systems, affirming the need for meaningful human control and responsible use of AI in the military domain.
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/