Open Letter: The European Commission and Member States must keep AI Act national implementation on track

A coalition of civil society organizations has issued a strong call to action, urging the European Commission and individual member states to prioritize the timely implementation of the landmark Artificial Intelligence Act. This proactive stance underscores the crucial need to translate the Act's principles into practical reality, ensuring that the rights it enshrines are not merely aspirational but effectively enforced across the European Union. The open letter emphasizes the importance of swift and coordinated efforts at both the EU and national levels. It highlights the urgency of establishing the necessary frameworks, allocating resources, and building the required expertise to effectively regulate and oversee the development and deployment of AI systems within the bloc. The organizations are particularly focused on guaranteeing that the Act's provisions on fundamental rights and democratic values are fully upheld. This call has significant implications for European citizens and businesses, impacting how they interact with and are affected by AI technologies. Timely and effective implementation is vital to establish a predictable and compliant environment, fostering trust in AI solutions while safeguarding fundamental rights. Furthermore, this action reinforces the EU’s commitment to digital sovereignty by taking a lead in ethical AI regulation globally. The organizations' appeal follows the finalization of the AI Act itself. The coming months will be critical as member states begin to translate the legislative framework into national laws. Close monitoring and engagement from civil society, alongside consistent enforcement, are crucial to ensure the AI Act delivers on its promise of a human-centric approach to artificial intelligence.