The European artificial intelligence office

Dabić Dragana (Institut za međunarodnu politiku i privredu, Beograd), ddabic@diplomacy.bg.ac.rs

In August 2024, the European Union Regulation on Harmonised Rules on Artificial Intelligence (commonly known as the Artificial Intelligence Act or Law) entered into force. This legally binding instrument sets out the rules for the development, placing on the market, putting into operation, and use of artificial intelligence systems in the European Union (EU). As the world’s first comprehensive legal framework on this advanced technology, it aims to foster innovation while protecting individuals from potential harm linked to the use of artificial intelligence systems. The Regulation also includes still underdeveloped governance mechanisms aimed at achieving its effective implementation in the member states. To this end, a European Office for Artificial Intelligence was established, which should become a hub of expertise at the Union level and the foundation of a single European governance system for this advanced technology. The paper explores its role as a centre of expertise and an important institution for shaping AI policy and practice at the EU level. It also examines its founding principles, operational status, mission and tasks, and cooperation with relevant stakeholders. A critical examination reveals potential challenges such as overlapping competencies, the risk of stifling innovation through over-regulation, and bureaucratic inertia. The author concludes that the success of the latest European initiative will not be measured solely by the level of compliance of rules binding AI providers, which is the Office’s formal mandate, but also by the tangible societal benefits resulting from the responsible deployment of AI systems and models.

Keywords: EU, Artificial Intelligence Act, European Office for Artificial Intelligence, AI models