EU strengthens AI Act enforcement with new expert bodies

New panels help regulators address AI Act compliance and systemic risks.

New expert bodies strengthen AI Act enforcement across the EU.

The European Commission has appointed two new expert bodies to support the implementation and enforcement of the EU’s AI Act. The Scientific Panel and Advisory Forum will provide independent expertise to the Commission’s AI Office and national authorities responsible for supervising compliance with the regulation.

The Scientific Panel comprises 60 independent experts from fields including frontier AI research, engineering, technical auditing, industry, and societal impact assessment. The panel will focus on general-purpose AI (GPAI) models and systems, systemic risk assessment, model classification, evaluation methodologies, and cross-border market surveillance.

Alongside the panel, the Commission has established an Advisory Forum bringing together representatives from academia, civil society, industry, startups and SMEs. The forum will provide technical advice on implementation challenges, standardisation efforts, and broader issues related to the enforcement of the AI Act.

Several EU agencies will hold permanent seats in the forum, including the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). Members of both bodies will serve two-year terms and are expected to contribute to the consistent application of the AI Act across the European Union.

Why does it matter?

The AI Act introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI systems in the EU, including specific obligations for general-purpose AI models.

The new expert bodies are intended to strengthen the Commission’s technical capacity, support coordinated enforcement across Member States, and provide independent expertise on emerging risks, standards, and compliance challenges as AI technologies continue to evolve.

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