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The European AI Act

The final draft of the AI Act (preliminary political agreement at EU level was on December 8, 2023) has been announced. With its publication on July 12, 2024, the European AI Act came into force on August 1, 2024. Austria is already ready for the new regulation of AI. With the world's first legal framework for AI, the European Union is setting an important milestone in exploiting the advantages of the technology and minimizing the risks. It is also a set of rules that can serve as a model for other countries. Developments in artificial intelligence are progressing. The performance of AI systems doubles approximately every 3.5 months. Increased use of artificial intelligence could bring Austria around seven billion euros more added value by 2035.

Austrian pioneering role in AI policy

The AI Act provides for a national body to coordinate and monitor the new regulations. In Austria, this is the AI Service Desk, which has been established at Rundfunk und Telekom Regulatory GmbH (RTR). 

High-level expertise on the AI Advisory Board

The eleven-member "AI Advisory Board" will advise politicians on technical, social and ethical questions relating to artificial intelligence. The aim is to leverage economic potential, provide support with questions and, overall, bundle knowledge about AI. This creates added value for public administration, the economy and society. The AI Advisory Board will also be involved in the revision of the Austrian AI strategy, which will be presented in the first half of the year. The eleven members of the advisory board are proven experts and have excellent knowledge in the areas of ethics, research, economics, law and technology.

The Service Desk for AI at RTR

To support the implementation of the European AI Act, a Service Desk for Artificial Intelligence has been established at the (Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (RTR).

On January 22, 2024, Parliament's Constitutional Committee discussed establishing the AI Service Desk, which was subsequently approved by the National Council on January 31, 2024. The AI Service Desk supports organizations in preparing to comply with the requirements of the AI Act.

AI Service Desk: Enhancing legal certainty and application expertise

The AI Service Point serves as a central point of contact for citizens, organizations, and companies, offering support with questions on implementation of the European AI Act. Its goal is to promote transparency and provide legal certainty for both society and the economy.

The AI Service Desk is available to assist businesses, especially with legal questions regarding the AI Act. It provides straightforward access to information about AI and the AI Act and supports the AI Advisory Board, also based at RTR. For media companies, the Media Division serves as the primary contact, while the Telecommunications and Postal Services Division offers advice and support for all other sectors.

AI authority structure

The AI Act mandates that national bodies be designated by 2025 to coordinate and monitor the new regulations. These authorities will start their work enforcing the AI Act within twelve months of its coming into force. This includes authorities responsible for the market surveillance and control of AI systems in accordance with the requirements of the AI Act, as well as authorities and public bodies responsible for fundamental rights. The AI Service Desk will serve as a key source of knowledge and expertise for these authorities.

National authorities and public bodies responsible for supervising or enforcing fundamental rights

Article 77 AI Act

Article 77 of the AI Act enhances the supervisory and enforcement powers of authorities or public bodies responsible for fundamental rights. These authorities must be designated by November 2, 2024, and more information can be found on the dedicated information page for Article 77 of the AI Act.

More digital skills in the population

In addition to transparency, it is also important to familiarize people with how to deal with AI and the associated risks and opportunities. As part of the Digital Skills Inititative, there is also a focus on basic AI knowledge. Trust in modern technologies can be strengthened by digital skills.

AI strategy will be presented in 2024

The Austrian AI strategy (AIM-AT 2030) was presented as an agile strategy in summer 2021 and is currently being revised.

During the development process, all departments within the framework of the AI Policy Forum, experts from research, science, business and interest groups will be integrated.