With the increasing spread of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in companies, the question arises whether and when an AI Officer is necessary. The “Artificial Intelligence Act” (AI Act) of the European Union provides clear guidelines here that companies must follow when implementing and using AI systems.
What Does the AI Act / EU AI Regulation Regulate?
The AI Act is an EU regulation that represents the world’s first attempt to create rules for the use of Artificial Intelligence. This regulation applies directly in all member states of the European Union and aims to promote the use of AI systems in accordance with the values of the Union while ensuring a high level of protection for health, safety, and fundamental rights.
The Role of the AI Officer
A central aspect of the AI Act is ensuring a sufficient level of AI competence within companies. Article 4 of the AI Act requires that providers and operators of AI systems take measures to ensure that their employees have the necessary knowledge and skills to use AI systems safely and effectively. This includes technical training and conveying legal knowledge.
Article 4, which comes into force on February 2, 2025, of the EU AI Act states about AI knowledge:
Providers and deployers of AI systems shall take measures to ensure, to their best extent, a sufficient level of AI literacy of their staff and other persons dealing with the operation and use of AI systems on their behalf, taking into account their technical knowledge, experience, education and training and the context the AI systems are to be used in, and considering the persons or groups of persons on whom the AI systems are to be used.
Why Is an AI Officer Important?
An AI Officer can play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the AI Act’s regulations. This position is not explicitly required by the AI Act (with the exception for high-risk AI systems, Art. 14 para. 4 AI Act), but it requires the AI competence described above in Art. 4 AI Act, which can be ensured by the AI Officer. The more intensively and extensively a company implements and uses AI, the more sensible it becomes to create such a dedicated position. This is intended to ensure human oversight of AI. The AI Officer takes on the following tasks:
- Ensuring AI Competence: The AI Officer ensures that all relevant employees have the necessary technical and legal knowledge.
- Coordination and Consulting: They coordinate AI initiatives within the company and advise management and other departments regarding the use of AI.
- Monitoring and Development: The AI Officer monitors the implementation and use of AI systems and ensures their continuous development in accordance with legal requirements.
Requirements for an AI Officer
An AI Officer should have a broad spectrum of skills and expertise. These include:
- Technical Knowledge: Understanding of the technical elements of the AI systems used and their correct application along the value chain.
- Legal Knowledge: Knowledge of the legal requirements for compliance and enforcement of the AI Act.
- Interdisciplinary Skills: Ability to mediate between different stakeholders and develop a comprehensive understanding of AI applications in the company.
AI Officer – Conclusion and Recommendation
For companies that work intensively with AI, it is very sensible to create such a position. Even if you only use “ChatGPT,” you must comply with the legal framework of the AI Act and train your employees accordingly. An AI Officer ensures that the necessary competencies exist within the company and that legal requirements are met. Given the high fines for non-compliance with the regulations, it is advisable to deal intensively with the topic of AI and take appropriate measures. If you are a provider or operator of high-risk AI systems, you will in any case need the explicitly appointed natural person for human oversight (AI Officer).
Support from innFactory AI Consulting GmbH
innFactory AI Consulting GmbH offers comprehensive support in identifying the necessary competencies, organizing training, and developing a strategy for introducing an AI Officer. We also help you implement effective AI governance. Our training courses are practice-oriented and led by experienced professionals. We offer these courses publicly or separately for entire companies. For specific company appointments, please contact us directly. We certify your participation with an innFactory AI certificate and guarantee that we will provide you with any changes or requirements as an update free of charge within 12 months.
The Instructors:
- Tobias Jonas: Technical AI and Cloud expert, as well as LinkedIn Top AI Voice 2024.
- Andreas Nörr: IT Law attorney and the legal framework.
- Fabian Artmann: Specialist for interdisciplinary skills.
We work with illustrative examples and practical exercises to put theory into practice. In addition, we advise companies individually, network AI managers with each other, and build an ecosystem for these key people. Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help you master the challenges of AI implementation.