In a significant move towards responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development, Spain has initiated its first AI sandbox following the European Union's enactment of the AI Act. This pioneering legislation, the world's first comprehensive AI law, aims to promote human-centric AI by establishing a regulatory framework that mitigates potential impacts on fundamental rights, health, safety, democracy, the rule of law, and the environment.
The Spanish AI sandbox is designed to support innovation while ensuring compliance with the AI Act, particularly focusing on high-risk AI systems. It serves as a controlled environment where companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, can develop and test AI technologies under regulatory supervision. This initiative aligns with Spain's broader digital strategy, España Digital 2025, which emphasizes the importance of controlled testing spaces (sandboxes) to facilitate innovation and regulatory compliance.
The first call for high-risk AI systems was announced, with applications accepted from December 23, 2024, to January 23, 2025. To provide clarity and guidance, the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence organized an informative session on January 9, 2025, attracting over 300 participants both in-person and online. This high turnout reflects the significant interest and commitment within the AI community towards responsible development practices.
This initiative is part of Spain's broader efforts to position itself as a leader in AI innovation within Europe. Notably, Barcelona has been selected to host one of Europe's seven AI factories, a project supported by both the Spanish government and the Generalitat of Catalonia. This AI factory, led by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, aims to become a European benchmark in AI by 2025, further solidifying Spain's commitment to advancing AI technologies responsibly.
By establishing the AI sandbox, Spain is taking proactive steps to balance innovation with ethical considerations, ensuring that AI technologies are developed in a manner that safeguards fundamental rights and societal values.