Safeguards in a world of ambient intelligence: Outline of a research agenda on the european level

Ambient intelligence is a vision of the future information society stemming from the convergence of ubiquitous computing, ubiquitous communication and intelligent user-friendly interfaces. Beyond the possible benefits that are associated with the vision, it also requires a proper balance of a complex diversity of interests and values. The paper gives an outline of the various risks and vulnerabilities associated with Ambient Intelligence and argues why the design of safeguards and privacy enhancing mechanisms is a central task of European policy