The European Commission has taken a significant step towards regulating artificial intelligence (AI) systems and promoting innovation in the field by launching a dedicated AI office.
Announced in January as part of a broader initiative to support European start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in AI development, the office is tasked with overseeing compliance with the AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive legislation to regulate AI technology.
After extensive negotiations, the European Parliament and Council reached an agreement on the AI Act in December, paving the way for its implementation. Member states have approved the text, with the Parliament expected to vote on the deal in its April plenary session.
The establishment of the AI office represents a key component of the EU's approach to governing AI at the European level, rather than relying solely on oversight by individual member states.
Roberto Viola, director general of Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect), highlighted the Commission's decision to host the agency, emphasizing the potential synergies with other regulatory frameworks such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA).
Operating within DG Connect and staffed by approximately 100 experts, the AI office will have a dual mandate: ensuring compliance with AI regulations and supporting innovation in the field.
In terms of oversight, the office will collaborate with governance bodies in member states to enforce rules for general-purpose AI models. This includes conducting evaluations, requesting information from model providers, and applying sanctions for non-compliance.
Additionally, the office will facilitate the development of home-grown AI by establishing 'AI factories' with access to EU supercomputers. This initiative aims to enable the training of large general-purpose AI models and promote the adoption of AI across various sectors, including genomics, personalized medicine, climate modeling, and pharmaceuticals.
While the AI Act is set to become applicable two years after its entry into force, the Commission plans to launch an AI pact, encouraging developers to voluntarily commit to implementing key obligations ahead of legal deadlines.
The establishment of the AI office underscores the EU's commitment to fostering responsible AI development and ensuring that AI technologies align with European values and principles.
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