Rolf Schumann is co-CEO of Schwarz Digits, the IT and digital division of the Schwarz Group. Schwarz Digits offers products and services related to cybersecurity, cloud computing, and AI that meet Germany’s stringent data protection standards. He is responsible for the digital activities of Schwarz Group companies, with a focus on e-commerce, loyalty, retail media, and digital innovations. Previously, Schumann was global general manager of SAP’s Platform and Innovation division and was the company’s CTO for Europe. Before joining SAP in 2000, he spent nine years at Siemens, where he was responsible for data center operations in Europe and for internet architecture planning. Schumann also founded Better Place, a company focused on electromobility.
Voting History
| Statement | Response |
|---|---|
| There is sufficient international alignment on emerging codes of conduct and standards for global companies to effectively implement RAI requirements across the organization. Disagree | “Cultural differences regarding privacy and the GDPR lead to different understandings of how far we want to go in regard to explaining and regulating AI.” |
| Companies should be required to make disclosures about the use of AI in their products and offerings to customers. Agree | “We are true believers in full transparency around the use of customer data (even if anonymized to share the semantics of data sources), as well having a full explanation and description of AI tools and mechanisms to avoid bias or other unexpected information/decisions coming out of AI.” |
| Organizations will be ready to meet the requirements of the EU AI Act as they phase in over the next 12 months. Disagree | “As most of the companies are just getting started wrapping their minds around the AI topic, the missing piece is an ethical and regulatory mindset. Before companies understand their semantical view on AI in context of corporate culture and values, this step cannot be completed. Twelve months is a too short time frame for this exercise. In addition, the EU AI Act is strongly focused on a regional perspective. I do not see the majority of U.S.-based AI companies reflecting this perspective strongly enough in their portfolios and strategies. Therefore, it will take longer to achieve broader adoption of this regulatory approach.” |
| Organizations are sufficiently expanding risk management capabilities to address AI-related risks. Disagree | “Most companies do not yet understand the complexity and impact behind “using” AI, especially in regard to data privacy and protection. In addition, its impact on human beings as well as society is not fully reflected.” |