Hungary announces AI Action Plan

Hungary

Hungary announced an AI Action Plan, which analysts are calling the first pillar of a national AI strategy to define and form the institutional framework of the Hungarian data market and the AI ecosystem. The AI strategy itself should be completed by the start of 2020.

The Hungarian AI ecosystem will consist of two institutions – the AI Excellence Center (also known as the National Lab or MI Kivalosagi Kozpont) and Hungary's AI Coalition. Guiding the National Lab in its work will be Hungary's AI Coalition, which was established in 2018. Made up of 193 members, the Coalition is currently working on the development of Hungary's AI Strategy and various AI-related proposals.

To be established in 2020 by a consortium of the Institute for Computer Science and Control (SZTAKI) and institutions in the Eotvos Lorand research network, the National Lab will also organise and coordinate basic research and engage in international research in cooperation with other EU-sponsored AI Excellence Centres.

In terms of existing or planned AI-related products, the AI Coalition has identified the following:

  • data market platforms with GDPR compliant data sharing that operates in a closed alpha test environment;
  • non-personal or anonymous public data that will be searchable;
  • metadata collection based on public-data assets and best practices, which will be available by the spring of 2020;
  • a national data asset policy and legal framework, including a proposal for a data asset law to reduce the ambiguities of data sharing, create systems to assess and value data, and address consumer protection and security aspects during AI implementation;
  • establish a National Data Asset Agency (Nemzeti Adatvagyon Ugynokseg) to ensure responsible, progressive and efficient data utilisation by the government;
  • operate a public data portal in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior; and
  • assess Big Data by collecting education, health, geoinformatics, and transport data.

According to the plan, the AI Coalition should educate at least 1% of the public or approximately 100,000 people on AI. In addition, at least 10% of the population (i.e. 1,000,000 people) is expected to be in contact with AI through Csopa (the Csodak Palotaja or Palace of Wonder), a Budapest-based science centre and interactive playing area, and other digital experience centres in the cities of Győr, Kecskemét, and Zalaegerszeg.

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