Explore Luxembourg’s supercomputing initiative and its impact on tech innovation, the EU AI Act’s influence on innovation and ethics, and the role of software consultants in ensuring competitiveness in the AI-driven future. Ahead of the “AI in Tech: What’s Next?” event, we sought insights from Ralf Hustadt, Special Advisor at Luxinnovation, Ajay Bali, Digital Consulting Partner at EY, and Akash Sharma, Senior Manager at EY.
What’s Luxembourg’s supercomputing initiative’s role in shaping its tech innovation hub status?
Ralf Hustadt: In stark contrast to many operational supercomputers in various countries, the computing capabilities of MeluXina are not exclusively dedicated to the realm of public research. They are also accessible to companies of all sizes, enabling them to leverage new opportunities for innovation and to stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. It democratises the use of HPC.
In addition to exceptional computing power, companies utilising the Luxembourg HPC services can also rely on a dedicated support team that provides personalised, professional guidance and technical expertise to implement high-performance computing projects.
This distinctive setup makes Luxembourg a highly interesting and attractive destination for any entity, regardless of its sector, engaged in advanced innovation endeavours.
How will the new EU AI Act impact AI regulations to balance innovation and ethics?
Ajay Bali and Akash Sharma: The EU is taking the lead in making AI human-centric, trustworthy, and safe with the enactment of the very first legislation of this kind worldwide, known as the AI Act. The AI Act is designed to address the risks of AI through a set of obligations and requirements, safeguarding the health, safety, and fundamental rights of EU citizens and impacting AI governance globally.
“Consultants will require a broader skill set, comprising data science, data engineering, and domain-specific knowledge.”
Ajay Bali, Digital Consulting Partner, and Akash Sharma, Senior Manager at EY Luxembourg
The AI Act’s scope also covers AI systems placed on the market, put into service, or used within the EU, affecting developers, deployers, and global vendors except those used for military purposes and scientific research. The AI Act adopts a risk-based approach, focusing on use cases rather than specific technologies or models. This approach promotes innovation by regulating the use cases rather than the underlying technology.
Furthermore, the EU AI Act will introduce regulatory sandboxes to foster innovation in AI across the EU by allowing businesses to experiment with new and innovative products, services, or businesses under the regulator’s supervision. However, the implementation and determination of “fair enough,” “accurate enough,” and other similar concepts in practice may affect what trustworthy AI will mean in Europe and beyond.
How do software consultants see their role in helping firms evolve and stay competitive in the AI-driven future?
Ajay Bali and Akash Sharma: To help businesses make the most of data-driven insights, consultants will need to specialize in AI and machine learning. They’ll play a crucial role in guiding the implementation of AI solutions, optimizing processes, and decision-making.
Consultants will also adopt and promote agile methodologies aimed at expediting AI development and ensuring continuous improvement. This will involve a shift towards DevOps practices, ensuring smooth AI model deployment.
Additionally, the adoption of low code/no code platforms will allow for faster AI solution prototyping and deployment. Therefore, it is essential for consultants to understand and leverage these tools effectively. Lastly, consultants will require a broader skill set, comprising data science, data engineering, and domain-specific knowledge. These skills will enable consultants to grasp the intricacies of AI applications across industries.
Editor’s note: The “Ai in Tech: what’s next?” event organized by EY Luxembourg, in collaboration with Luxinnovation, will take place on November 8. You can still register here.
