The European Commission has taken a pivotal step towards shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by establishing the AI Office. This new hub is dedicated to fostering the development of safe and trustworthy AI within the European Union (EU). The AI Office is set to play a crucial role in implementing the AI Act, with a strong emphasis on establishing the EU as a global leader in reliable AI technologies.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, responsible for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, remarked on the significance of the AI Office, stating, “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 upholds our European values.”
The AI Office will be staffed by over 140 experts, including technologists, legal advisors, policy analysts, and economists, all working towards the common goal of implementing the AI Act and setting standards for general-purpose AI models. Collaboration with AI developers, scientists, and various stakeholders will be key to creating best practices, evaluating AI models, and enforcing regulations.
The office will also engage with Member States and experts through various forums, aligning its efforts with the European Artificial Intelligence Board and an independent Scientific Panel. An Advisory Forum will bring together a diverse group of participants, ranging from industry representatives to civil society members, to contribute to a trustworthy AI ecosystem.
Innovation and policy coordination will be at the forefront of the AI Office’s agenda, supporting research and innovation through initiatives like GenAI4EU. This will ensure the integration of European AI models into new applications, driving investment and fostering a competitive AI landscape that adheres to EU rules and values.
