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European AI Office and European Artificial Intelligence Board
Brussels, THE NEW FRONTIERS The European AI Office is the center of AI expertise across the European Union. It plays a pivotal role in implementing the AI Act—the world's first comprehensive legal framework on artificial intelligence—by fostering the development and use of trustworthy AI and promoting international cooperation. The Office was established by the Commission Decision C(2024) 390 final, on 24 January 2024Key ObjectivesImplementing the AI Act: Supports governance bodies in Member States, especially concerning general-purpose AI, and enforces rules to protect against AI risks.Promoting Trustworthy AI: Encourages the development and use of AI technologies that align with EU values and regulations, ensuring health, safety, and fundamental rights.International Cooperation: Aims to establish a strategic, coherent, and effective European approach to AI on the global stage.Structure of the AI OfficeThe AI Office comprises five units and two advisors:Excellence in AI and Robotics UnitRegulation and Compliance UnitAI Safety UnitAI Innovation and Policy Coordination UnitAI for Societal Good UnitLead Scientific AdvisorAdvisor for International Affairs Tasks and ResponsibilitiesSupporting the AI Act and Enforcing General-Purpose AI RulesCoherent Application: Assists in consistent implementation of the AI Act across Member States.Evaluation Tools: Develops methodologies and benchmarks for assessing AI models.Codes of Practice: Collaborates with AI developers and experts to establish state-of-the-art guidelines.Compliance Monitoring: Investigates potential infringements and ensures corrective actions are taken.Guidance and Legislation: Prepares guidance documents and implements acts to support effective enforcement.Strengthening Development and Use of Trustworthy AIAdvancing Actions: Promotes policies to harness societal and economic benefits of AI.Best Practices: Provides advice and facilitates access to AI sandboxes and support structures.Innovation Ecosystems: Encourages ecosystems that enhance EU competitiveness and growth.AI Literacy: Helps leverage transformative AI tools and reinforces AI literacy.Fostering International CooperationGlobal Promotion: Advocates for the EU's approach to trustworthy AI internationally.Governance Collaboration: Works towards global cooperation and governance on AI.International Agreements: Supports development and implementation of international AI agreements.GenAI4EU InitiativeIn January 2024, the Commission launched a...
Europe's AI Crossroads: Building a Sustainable, Sovereign, and ...
Paris, 15 April 2026 — At a recent Harvard Club of France event, a thought-provoking discussion led by Kelly KIRSCH, Directeur Général ESG Europe at ESG.AI, and Pierre Mary, Head of the Tezos Ecosystem, moderated by board member Charlotte Nickerson, challenged Europe’s traditional approach to artificial intelligence. For too long, the continent’s AI strategy has been trapped between two unproductive extremes: either racing to catch up with the U.S. at any cost or relying on regulation alone to secure relevance. The panelists argued for a third path—one that prioritizes infrastructure, rigorous measurement, and talent development to shape AI in alignment with Europe’s core values. This third path isn’t just theoretical. It’s already being forged by visionaries like Arthur Mensch and Mistral AI, who understood early that Europe’s competitive edge lies in its values, talent, and innovation. By developing large language models (LLMs) tailored to European needs—both in scale and specialization—Mistral has demonstrated that Europe can lead without compromising sustainability or sovereignty. The Problem with Europe’s Current AI Debate Europe’s AI discourse has long been polarized. On one side, there’s the urgent push to match U.S. and Chinese advancements, often at the expense of ethical considerations or environmental impact. On the other, there’s the regulatory-first approach, which, while necessary, risks stifling innovation if not balanced with proactive investment in infrastructure and talent. The panelists made a compelling case for a middle ground: building AI systems that are not only compliant but also competitive, sustainable, and aligned with European values. This requires: Infrastructure that supports homegrown innovation. Measurement disciplines to track AI’s environmental and social impact. Talent systems that ensure long-term resilience and adaptability. Kelly KIRSCH emphasized that Mistral AI’s success—with its transparent lifecycle assessments (covering energy, carbon, and water usage) and focus on smaller, specialized models—proves this approach is viable. These models are faster to train, more efficient, and better aligned with specific business needs, offering a blueprint for how Europe can innovate responsibly. Key Insights: Rethinking AI’s Role in Society and Business 1. The Full Environmental Cost of AI: Beyond Energy Consumption One of the most striking takeaways was the need to look beyond energy use when assessing AI’s sustain...
AI Act: obligations, risks and opportunities in the new governance of ...
The EU's AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) introduces the first comprehensive framework for regulating artificial intelligence, based on a risk-tiered approach to protect fundamental rights and safety. By imposing stricter obligations on higher-risk systems—particularly around transparency, governance, and accountability—the Regulation reshapes how organizations develop and use AI. With ...
Germany's Friedrich Merz says industrial AI needs less stringent EU ...
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants less regulation for industrial artificial intelligence in the European Union. He believes this will increase productivity and efficiency. Germany has been eager to catch up with dominant AI players the United States and China in a global race to master a transformational technology and attract high-income jobs.
