The European Commission has established the AI Office, a hub to foster the development of safe and trustworthy AI in the EU.
The AI Office will spearhead the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence that generates social and economic benefits while mitigating risks.
Helping to implement the AI Act, the office will have a particular focus on positioning the EU as a global leader in trustworthy AI.
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, commented: “The AI office unveiled today will help us ensure a coherent implementation of the AI Act.
“Together with developers and a scientific community, the office will evaluate and test general purpose AI to ensure that AI serves us as humans and uphold our European values.”
Leading trustworthy AI development
The AI Office will employ over 140 staff, including technology specialists, administrative assistants, lawyers, policy experts, and economists. Its main task is to implement the AI Act and enforce rules for general-purpose AI models.
The office will collaborate with AI developers, the scientific community, and other stakeholders to create best practices, test and evaluate AI models, gather information, and apply sanctions when necessary.
It will work with Member States and experts through forums and groups, coordinating with the European Artificial Intelligence Board and a Scientific Panel of independent experts.
An Advisory Forum will include diverse stakeholders such as industry, startups, SMEs, academia, think tanks and civil society.
To foster a trustworthy AI ecosystem, the office will provide advice on best practices, access to AI sandboxes, and support structures like Testing and Experimentation Facilities, European Digital Innovation Hubs, and AI Factories.
It will support AI research and innovation through initiatives like GenAI4EU, ensuring European AI models are integrated into new applications and driving investment.
Finally, the AI Office will promote a coherent and effective European approach to AI internationally, becoming a global reference point.
Composition of the AI Office
The Regulation and Compliance Unit ensures uniform enforcement of the AI Act across the EU, working with Member States on investigations, infringements, and sanctions.
The AI Safety Unit identifies and mitigates risks of advanced AI models, focusing on evaluation and testing methods.
The Excellence in AI and Robotics Unit promotes research and development, coordinating the GenAI4EU initiative to integrate AI models into innovative applications.
The AI for Societal Good Unit leads international AI projects for social benefits, such as weather modelling and cancer diagnosis.
The AI Innovation and Policy Coordination Unit implements the EU AI strategy, monitors trends, supports AI adoption through Digital Innovation Hubs and AI Factories, and encourages innovation with regulatory sandboxes and real-world testing.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, added: “With the new AI Office and its 140 talented women and men, the Commission will have the necessary expertise to drive the implementation of the AI Act and to reinforce Europe’s role as a global standard-setter in AI.
“The Office will foster a European AI ecosystem that is innovative, competitive and respectful of EU rules and values.”
