With the AI Act, the EU was the first region to provide clear rules for dealing with this technology. At REWE Group, we have been working intensively on this topic for a long time and are promoting the responsible use of artificial intelligence with our "REWE digital AI Manifesto" and our project on generative AI.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most important technologies of our time. It offers enormous opportunities to optimise processes, improve the customer experience and create innovations. However, AI also harbours risks that we as responsible companies cannot ignore. How can we ensure that AI is in line with our values and ethical principles? How can we maximise the positive effects of AI and minimise the negative ones? And how can we sensitise and train our employees to the challenges and opportunities of AI?
Part of the answer is provided by the AI law that the EU has passed. "We need a set of rules that sets clear boundaries, but also further strengthens Europe as an innovation area," emphasised our Chief Digital Officer Christoph Eltze in a LinkedIn post. "We are now waiting for guidelines on how to apply the law in practice. Because there is still a lot to do before the law is applied in two years' time.
At REWE Group, we asked these questions early on and sought answers. Back in 2020, we created a compass for ethical behaviour in the field of AI with our "REWE digital AI Manifesto"(AI MANIFESTO (rewe-digital.com)). The manifesto provides guidance and sets clear standards for the responsible development of AI. The aim is to use technology for the benefit of all while consciously avoiding risks.
"When we launched the generative AI project in June, we took this as an opportunity to take a fresh look at the topic. After all, with Chat GPT and co., artificial intelligence has left the niche of developers and has arrived with all colleagues. As part of our project on generative AI, we discussed the ethical issues arising from the use of this form of AI," says Dr Julian Mennenöh, Head of Analytics, Sales & Business Functions. Issues such as responsibility, interpersonal communication, weighing up the benefits and risks and the changes in the world of work that go hand in hand with generative AI must not be overlooked despite all the enthusiasm for the technology. And one thing is certain: people are always at the centre of everything we do.
