Data Ethics Commission goes to work

type: press release , Date: 05 September 2018

Federal Minister of Justice Barley and Federal Minister of the Interior Seehofer welcome commission members

On Wednesday, 5 September 2018, the Data Ethics Commission created by the Federal Government took up work. The commission of 16 experts works independently, with support from the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection and the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community. Today, federal ministers Barley and Seehofer welcomed the members of the Data Ethics Commission at their first meeting in Berlin.

Federal Minister Seehofer addressed the commission members by quoting the mathematician Blaise Pascal: "All good principles are present in the world; one simply needs to apply them." He added: "Sometimes there are particularly difficult cases for which an expert commission is needed to apply the good principles. Dealing with data, algorithms and artificial intelligence is one of those cases. Citizens expect their government to tell them how the potential can be used but also where the limits are. We want to deliver the answers with the help of the Data Ethics Commission."

Federal Minister Barley commended the commission’s interdisciplinary and balanced composition: “The digital revolution should benefit humanity. So we need clear rules inspired by the common good, social participation, data sovereignty and freedom of action. Machines which assess human beings must be subject to review. Their use must be transparent at all times. With the Data Ethics Commission we are creating an important discussion forum for the advancement of our society.”

The Data Ethics Commission is composed of 16 experts from the fields of medicine, law, computer science, statistics, economics, theology, ethics and journalism. The commission’s spokespersons are Dr Christiane Woopen, professor of medical ethics at the University of Cologne, and Dr Christiane Wendehorst, professor of civil law at the University of Vienna.

Before the constituent meeting, Professor Woopen explained: "Algorithms and artificial intelligence permeate all areas of our lives. It is our responsibility to shape this technological transformation. Germany and Europe are committed to shaping the future based on values. Human dignity, freedom, justice and solidarity must be the standards for developing, using and monitoring new technologies. In this spirit, the Data Ethics Commission wants to help create an innovation-friendly environment that protects human integrity and promotes societal well-being. How to deal with data will be a key question."

Professor Wendehorst added: "Data reveal a person’s innermost self and all their social interactions. At the same time, data are the key to new products and technologies. Who controls them will also control this century’s international and economic order. Germany and Europe must define human-centred ethical standards. But we also need a strategy as well as technological and regulatory innovation to enforce these standards. The Data Ethics Commission will be dedicated to both."

Within the coming year, the Data Ethics Commission will propose ethical guidelines for making data policy and dealing with algorithms, artificial intelligence and digital innovation and provide recommendations for action. The Data Ethics Commission will be fully independent in writing its report. Organizational support will be provided by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community and the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection.

For more information about the members of the Data Ethics Commission and their work visit: www.bmi.bund.de/datenethikkommission or www.bmjv.de/datenethikkommission.