AI Needs Global Rules and Propaganda Safeguards: Estonia Minister
Estonia’s Minister Liisa Pakosta calls for international AI regulations to protect cultures and prevent propaganda.
In a world rapidly being reshaped by artificial intelligence, the need for a unified global approach to regulation has become undeniable. Estonian Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa Pakosta, has emphasized the urgent necessity for international regulations, clear safeguards, and robust accountability mechanisms to govern the rise of AI technology.
Trust as the Foundation of Digital Societies
Speaking in an interview with ANI, Pakosta highlighted that trust is the bedrock of any digital society. She noted that for citizens to engage with digital governance, they must feel secure about how their data is handled.
"In Estonia we say that you need some kind of regulation to build trust. So digital society is always about trust," Pakosta stated. She explained that in Estonia, the relationship is built on the principle that people control the government through digital means, rather than the reverse, necessitating a framework of predictable rules.
According to the Minister, clear regulations do not stifle innovation; instead, they provide a roadmap for companies to expand their products and services across international borders with confidence.
Protecting Culture and Fighting Propaganda
One of the most critical concerns raised by Pakosta is the potential for AI to misrepresent smaller languages and specific cultural identities. She warned that without proper safeguards, AI could become a tool for spreading misinformation and distorting national histories.
"There would be an obligation that these [small languages and cultures] are correctly presented, and that there wouldn’t be any, like, Russian propaganda taking over our history, our narrative and our stories," Pakosta cautioned. She advocated for open-source systems and transparency, allowing users to understand the logic behind how Large Language Models (LLMs) reach specific decisions.
Strengthening Ties Between India and Estonia
The Minister identified significant opportunities for collaboration between India and Estonia, particularly in the realms of responsible AI, cybersecurity, and digital public services. She noted that Estonia is eager to learn from India’s vast research and development capabilities and its innovative cybersecurity products.
The discussion also touched upon the evolving landscape of cyber threats. Pakosta reflected on Estonia's history, noting that the country was the first to experience a large-scale state-sponsored cyberattack in 2007. This experience has led Estonia to establish some of the world's strongest cybersecurity standards.
"We see very much also cooperation in the future," Pakosta said, regarding collaboration with India's talent to combat new forms of cyber threats created by AI agents.
AI: Enhancing Public Services, Not Just Reducing Jobs
Addressing concerns regarding job displacement, Pakosta offered a different perspective on the role of AI in the public sector. Rather than using technology to shrink the government, she views AI as a tool to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
In Estonia, where public services are often delivered in less than a minute, AI is being used to expand the scope of what the government can offer. "We are not speaking about that we will make the public sector smaller. We are speaking about that we will offer more services, more and better and even quicker services to our people," she explained. While acknowledging that some roles will change, she emphasized that the goal is to leverage technology to provide a more robust and responsive government to its citizens.