The Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) has published the Information Society Trend Report 2024. The report covers language models, the impact of digitalisation on the well-being of the youth, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and algorithms. It also addresses various issues, such as what to consider when deploying ChatGPT? And when using AI to tackle societal challenges, how are transparency and privacy maintained?
Language models
Language models offer various opportunities. For instance, a language model could improve communication with citizens by simplifying complex official and legal terminologies into more understandable language.The report also highlights risks: Incorrect and/or harmful outputs, issues with underlying sources, ecological impact, and risks to end-users.
Digitalisation’s impact on youth
Since the coronavirus pandemic, European kids are estimated be online 6 to 7.5 hours daily. Digitalisation increasingly affects young people’s well-being, with further study required to better understand the consequences. The report suggests that children and young people view digital media as a way to connect with others, yet there are negative effects, such as high screen time and cyberbullying.
AI and algorithms
There are many developments in the field of AI and algorithms, including the AI Act and perspectives on generative AI. Three action lines have been established for deploying algorithms: The Algorithm Register, an algorithm supervising body, and the algorithm implementation framework. While AI and algorithms offer solutions to societal issues, they also pose challenges and ethical dilemmas related to transparency, accountability, privacy, and procedural rights.
For more information, read the full Information Society Trend Report 2024 (in Dutch).
