AI Office to be established after the adoption of the final text of the AI Act

Following the signature of the Harmonised Rules on Artificial Intelligence (the AI Act) on 2 February 2024, the European Commission unveiled plans for the establishment of the European AI Office, as outlined in the proposed AI Act. This office assumes a crucial role of enforcing the AI Act's mandates by aiding the governance bodies of EU Member States and overseeing the compliance of general-purpose artificial intelligence models.

The key functions of the Office include ensuring consistent implementation of the AI Act across Member States, crafting evaluation tools and benchmarks for assessing GPAIs (general-purpose artificial intelligence models), and delineating rules through codes of practice. Additionally, it will investigate potential breaches of regulations and provide guidance and support tools for effective implementation of the AI Act

Collaboration forms a cornerstone of the Office's approach. It will coordinate closely with the European Artificial Intelligence Board and the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency (ECAT), alongside engaging with AI model providers, the open-source community, and advisory bodies established under the AI Act. Furthermore, it will play a pivotal role in overseeing the AI Pact, fostering a collaborative environment to exchange best practices and ensure adherence to the AI Act's provisions.

The Office will also collaborate with public and private actors to support the creation of AI sandboxes, real-world testing for AI systems.