Spain Becomes First EU Member to Establish AI Regulatory Body

In an unprecedented move within the European Union, Spain has established a new institution specifically for the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI).

The Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence (AESIA) was officially confirmed through Royal Decree and ratified by the Council of Ministers on 22 August.

AESIA aims to ensure that AI development within the nation aligns with principles of inclusivity, sustainability, and a focus on citizen welfare.

The new body – the first of its kind within the EU – will oversee Spain's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which aims to place the country at the forefront of AI innovation.

The strategy is part of the Digitial Spain 2025 Agenda, a €600 million initiative encompassing over 50 measures aimed at shaping Spain's digital future.

While specific details of the remit of AESIA are limited at this stage, it is also expected that the body will also be responsible for the enforcement of the EU’s landmark AI Act.

Spain has previously set up the first regulatory sandbox for the AI Act – under which various obligations are outlined proportionate to the level of risk associated with a given AI system – to allow experiments for its application in a controlled, supervised environment.

The nation has targeted platform-based worker rights too with the so-called Rider Law. As well as giving more rights to employees whose work is coordinated through digital platforms, the Rider Law also imposes algorithmic transparency requirements on employers.

Navigate emerging regulations with Holistic AI

While Spain is the first EU member to establish a designated AI regulatory body, it will not be the last.

The AI Act requires each member state to establish its own supervisory authority to support the implementation and application of the legislation. These bodies will have the power to determine whether high-risk applications result in significant risks and, as a result, whether they are subject to the associated obligations.

It has, therefore, never been more important for organisations to both understand their existing compliance duties and brace themselves for future regulations.

Schedule a call with Holistic AI’s expert governance, risk and compliance team to find out how we can help you navigate emerging standards and regulations.