Analyse
The statement aligns with the **European Commission’s official 2021 AI Act proposal** (COM/2021/206), which frames AI regulation around 'trustworthy AI' rooted in EU fundamental rights, including transparency (e.g., disclosure of AI systems), accountability (e.g., liability frameworks), and human oversight (e.g., prohibitions on social scoring). Von der Leyen’s phrasing mirrors **public speeches and press releases** from the period, where she consistently positioned Europe as a 'standard-setter' for ethical AI. No evidence suggests the quote was misattributed or taken out of context.
Achtergrond
The **EU AI Act**, proposed in April 2021, was the first comprehensive legal framework for AI globally, introducing a risk-based classification system (e.g., bans on 'unacceptable risk' AI like predictive policing). The Act’s **values-driven approach** contrasts with the U.S.’s sectoral regulations and China’s state-led AI governance. Von der Leyen, as Commission President, repeatedly tied the proposal to Europe’s **digital sovereignty** agenda and its **General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)** precedent.
Samenvatting verdict
Ursula von der Leyen accurately described the EU’s stated goals for the **AI Act proposal (2021)**, which explicitly emphasizes transparency, accountability, and human-centric oversight as core principles.