Bundesnetzagentur publishes report on the use of artificial intelligence in the network sectors
Date of issue 2021.12.15
The Bundesnetzagentur has today published a report on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the network sectors.
"There are numerous areas of application for AI with excellent potential for adding value. Using AI, especially for improving quality and gaining efficiency, also creates opportunities for more sustainability in the network sectors. We must take advantage of the current dynamics and set the right course with regard to regulation," said Dr Wilhelm Eschweiler, Bundesnetzagentur Vice President.
Survey on the use of AI
The report contains initial results from the consultation on the use of AI in the telecommunications, electricity, gas, post and rail network sectors. Currently 55% of the consultation participants already use AI. For now there is still a big difference between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies. While 78% of the participating large companies already use AI, only 22% of the participating SMEs do.
As the market dialogue shows, AI can contribute significantly to the optimisation and automation of business processes and help to develop entirely new business models and applications.
Challenges
The use of AI not only creates opportunities but also comes with challenges for companies.
In addition to a shortage of skilled workers and the complexity of the algorithms, the lack of a legal framework is seen in all network sectors and regardless of company size as a key obstacle to the use of AI. SMEs in particular fear that the implementation of future AI regulations could be costly.
Future AI legal framework
The EU Commission's legislative proposal for a pan-European legal framework for AI already addresses many of the questions that were examined in the market consultation and workshop. The Bundesnetzagentur welcomes the aims of the Commission's proposal and will be closely following future negotiations.
Market dialogue
In April 2021 the Bundesnetzagentur began a market dialogue with companies and associations from the network sectors. The first step was a market consultation. The Bundesnetzagentur also organised a virtual workshop on AI in the network sectors that took place on 11 November 2021. Results of the consultation, the EU Commission's legislative proposal for a legal framework for AI and AI use cases in the network sectors were presented and discussed. The Bundesnetzagentur would like to continue the market dialogue that began this year with the stakeholders in the network sectors as a point of contact offering support. This is also particularly important for SMEs.
The Bundesnetzagentur has published the report on the market dialogue on the use of AI in the network sectors in German at www.bundesnetzagentur.de/ki. In addition to the report, recordings of the workshop sessions on AI in the network sectors are also available.