Spain Forms Artificial Intelligence Supervisory Agency, First In Europe

Spain has become one of the first countries in the European Union to set up its own task force to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). The Spanish agency for Artificial Intelligence Supervision (AESIA) must guarantee, along with a national digital strategy, that the development of AI in the country will be "inclusive, sustainable, and citizen-centric."

On August 22, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved the Royal Decree which stipulates AESIA. This agency will be formed through joint efforts by the Ministry of Finance and the Spanish Civil Functionaries and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation.

This agency is part of a plan called the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. Spain targets to become a leader in the AI sector. According to a press release, Spain became the first European country to establish a special agency for AI.

In June, the European Union passed the Law on Artificial Intelligence, a legal framework for AI management and supervision. Once enacted, the law will impose restrictions on a number of artificial intelligence services and products while banning others.

Among the technologies that will face a complete ban are biometric surveillance, social assessment systems, police prediction algorithms, emotion recognition software, and an undirected facial recognition system.

However, generative AI models such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard will be allowed to operate, provided the output is clearly marked as a result of AI. The EU AI law requires all member states to form a national body that oversees artificial intelligence