On Wednesday 29 May, the European Commission unveiled its new ‘AI Office’, a planning body tasked with helping it to implement policies relating to artificial intelligence (AI).
The Office is divided into five units, each responsible for overseeing an aspect of AI policy: - uniformity of the regulatory approach at European level; - security and systemic risks; - support for research and development; - implementation “at the service of society” (weather modelling, cancer diagnoses, etc.); - coordination of innovation policies.
The Head of the AI Office will work under the guidance of a scientific adviser who is an expert in the field, as well as an advisor for international affairs to manage cooperation at global level.
According to the Commission, the Office is expected to employ more than 140 people: technology specialists, administrative assistants, lawyers, policy specialists and economists.
The main aim of the new body is to ensure coherent implementation of AI legislation at European level. However, it should not be confused with the ‘European Artificial Intelligence Board’, which is composed of representatives from Member States (see EUROPE 12957/17). However, the AI Office will work in collaboration with the ‘European Board’.
At this stage, the Office is developing codes of practice for advanced AI. The organisational changes will take effect on 16 June, and the first meeting of the Board should take place by the end of June.
This announcement comes on the same day as the publication of the European Court of Auditors’ assessment of the EU’s shortcomings in terms of AI policy (see other news).
According to a senior European official, the proposed organisation of the IA Office should help to improve the analysis of European funding, as well as contributing to the creation of greater political coordination, as recommended by the Court of Auditors’ assessment.
Further information: https://aeur.eu/f/cf2 (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)