The European Commission’s AI Office is taking the lead in rolling out the AI Act—ensuring that advanced technologies are used responsibly while fostering innovation across diverse industries. With rapid developments in AI, establishing clear, consistent frameworks has never been more crucial.
In a recent conversation with The Innovation Platform, the team at the AI Office shared its plans for advancing AI across Europe. Acting as a central hub, the Office supports national governance bodies and enforces rules for general-purpose AI models. Empowered by the AI Act, the Commission can review models, request detailed information, and step in with corrective measures when needed.
The Office also champions a unified approach by setting up EU-level advisory bodies and facilitating smooth information exchange. Its work includes developing practical tools for assessing AI models, classifying potential risks, and collaborating with top developers and experts to draft robust codes of practice.
Structured into five specialised units—’Excellence in AI and Robotics’, ‘Regulation and Compliance’, ‘AI Safety’, ‘AI Innovation and Policy Coordination’, and ‘AI for Societal Good’—along with a Lead Scientific Advisor and an Advisor for International Affairs, the team is driving an ecosystem where innovative and trustworthy AI can flourish.
In January 2024, the Commission introduced an AI innovation package that supports startups and SMEs in crafting compliant AI technologies. Initiatives like the GenAI4EU project are already sparking fresh applications across Europe’s industrial sectors and public services, while plans are underway to boost supercomputing capacity for AI startups by 2025.
Financial support from Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe programme is set to unlock over €4 billion in investments by 2027. Alongside this, efforts to enrich Europe’s AI talent pool through education and training are well underway, ensuring that skills keep pace with technological advances.
Additional initiatives, such as the development of Common European Data Spaces and the AI Grand Challenge—which recently rewarded innovative startups with €1 million and millions of hours of computing time—demonstrate the EU’s commitment to equipping the continent for the future of AI.
Under President Ursula von der Leyen’s guidance, the EU is keen to lead not just in innovation but also in enhancing public services like healthcare. The proposed establishment of a European AI Research Council aims to consolidate research efforts and resource-sharing across the region.
Collaboration lies at the heart of these efforts. By partnering with the European Artificial Intelligence Board, the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency, and diverse groups of experts, the AI Office is ensuring that best practices and robust testing environments are accessible to all stakeholders. The AI Pact further encourages business engagement, preparing the market for the full implementation of the AI Act.
At its core, the European Commission’s AI Office is about balancing innovation with responsibility—a vision that not only safeguards society but also paves the way for a future where AI works for everyone.
