Regulation and Governance

The European Union’s AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI), establishing a risk-based regulatory approach designed to ensure the development and deployment of trustworthy, human-centric AI. The regulation categorizes AI systems according to their level of risk and sets clear obligations for developers and deployers, covering transparency, human oversight, data quality, traceability, robustness, and safeguards against harm and discrimination. The AI Act is part of a broader EU policy strategy to promote safe and innovative AI, complemented by initiatives such as the AI Continent Action Plan, the AI Innovation Package, and the deployment of AI Factories. Together, these actions strengthen safety, fundamental rights, uptake, investment, and innovation across the EU. To support smooth implementation, the Commission has also launched the AI Pact, a voluntary initiative fostering early compliance and stakeholder engagement, along with the AI Act Service Desk, which provides guidance and information for effective rollout throughout Europe.

The European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Science (RAISE, 2025) outlines a comprehensive framework for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into scientific research across Europe in an ethical, secure and innovation-driven manner. The strategy prioritizes accelerating scientific discovery through AI, improving data quality and reproducibility, strengthening advanced digital infrastructures, and expanding high-level training for researchers. RAISE promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, open science practices, responsible automation of research workflows, and the development of trustworthy AI ecosystems in the scientific domain. The document embeds strong principles of scientific integrity, human oversight, transparency, and continuous ethical assessment. Its overarching goal is to position Europe as a global leader in reliable, human-centred AI for science, driving forward research excellence while ensuring societal benefit and responsible innovation.

AI Watch is an initiative of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) that serves as a central hub for scientific monitoring and policy support related to the development, adoption, and regulation of trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI). The initiative applies interdisciplinary scientific expertise to assess the evolution and maturity of AI technologies and to develop methodologies and standards that promote transparency, robustness, and trust in AI systems. AI Watch provides evidence-based analyses, comparative data, and strategic insights that assist EU institutions and policymakers in designing regulatory frameworks, enhancing innovation, and ensuring the safe and responsible deployment of AI across sectors. Its overarching goal is to advance an AI ecosystem that is trustworthy, scientifically grounded, and beneficial to society.

The Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2024, developed by Spain’s Ministry for Digital Transformation, sets out the country’s updated national roadmap for the responsible and innovative development of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The strategy focuses on strengthening the national AI ecosystem, boosting talent and advanced training, expanding robust data infrastructures, and promoting trustworthy, human-centred AI aligned with fundamental rights. It also aims to accelerate the digital transformation of public administrations and foster the ethical and safe adoption of AI across strategic sectors such as healthcare, mobility, industry, and education. The document integrates key principles including risk management, transparency, human oversight, and safeguards against discrimination. Its overarching goal is to position Spain as an international leader in responsible AI, combining technological progress with societal wellbeing and public trust.