Risks associated with AI should be taken very seriously, says CEO of DE-CIX

“ Orisks associated with AI should be taken very seriously, but a general deceleration would be difficult to define and almost impossible to implement at global level ", says the executive, when questioned on the subject.

“ The best approach is responsible innovation, supported by clear rules, transparency, security standards and accountability for high-risk applications, and Europe “should take an active role in advancing this approach by building the capabilities, infrastructure and experience needed to shape the AI according to European values,” Ivo Ivanov said.

Asked about a possible slowdown in the development of artificial intelligence, the CEO of DE-CIX proposes another line.

“ Instead of retreating in the development of the AI, Europe must help ensure that innovation and accountability go hand in hand.”.

For DE-CIX, “this means making available the secure, resilient and sovereign digital infrastructure, helping to create the conditions for responsible innovation in AI to thrive”, he argues.

For the CEO, “governments have an essential role in establishing safeguards, defining responsibilities and regulating high-risk AI applications.”.

However, he continues, “intervention must be directed, based on evidence and coordinated at international level”.

Otherwise, “innovation can simply migrate to other regions, increasing Europe’s technological dependence,” he warns.

Europe “needs both smart regulation and world class digital infrastructure. DE-CIX does not decide which AI models should be developed; our role is to provide secure, resilient and transparent connectivity that allows organizations to control where their data moves and where the AI workloads are processed,” he said.

Asked about the role of the Azores in connectivity, the responsible points out that they “have the potential to become much more than a geographical midpoint in the Atlantic.”.

With new underwater cable systems such as Cloud and Atlantic CAM, “the islands are strengthening their position as a strategic digital gateway between Europe, North America, Africa and Latin America,” he points out.

This “improves resilience and diversity of transatlantic connectivity while creating new opportunities for the region,” he warns.

However, “the cables themselves do not create a digital center. To generate lasting value, they need to be complemented by data centers, local networks, renewable energies, digital skills and neutral interconnection”, emphasizes the manager.

At DE-CIX, “we see our role as connecting networks, Cloud suppliers, companies and AI platforms, helping to transform international connectivity into a prosperous regional digital ecosystem rather than simply a transit route,” he concludes.

DE-CIX is one of the largest global operators of internet traffic exchange points (Internet Exchanges or IXP), allowing direct interconnection between networks, operators and cloud services.