After long discussions and a feedback process, we finally have the AI Act. The AI Act covers major concerns such as the ethical use of AI, AI governance, and risk management for AI systems. The future of responsible AI now has a clear legal path. It is hard to capture all the problems that can arise from AI, but in general, the AI Act covers the major foreseable problems that can and will arise. In the bigger picture, we will certainly encounter AI cases where the expertise of privacy professionals is needed to properly interpret the GDPR and the AI Act. Still, the combination of both will not give us the full picture of what awaits tech companies in Europe.

The EU Parliament had long discussions and passed many new legislations in a short amount of time. Forty-six new digital legislations have been adopted so far between 2019-2024. The European Commission’s plan, “A Europe fit for the digital age,” will continue during the new legislative period. The EU is dedicated to bringing Brussels into cyberspace. We could coin one further term as the Europeanization of Cyber Space. Certainly, the effect will be felt sooner or later, and already companies are rushing to understand what to comply with or whether they fall into the scope of the new legislation.

The new landscape in the EU for tech companies is drastically changing. More and more compliance measures are on the way. Like the “gold rush,” now there is a rush towards “compliance.” The AI Act will mark the compliance measures for AI, but that will not be enough considering the amount of legislation coming. The challenge arises for companies even to know what to comply with in the first place. For privacy professionals specifically, if they are not keeping up to date with the latest developments, it will be harder to help their clients.

What’s next for the AI Officer?

Companies also want to reach their business goals, but it can result in failure without knowing how to proceed. There must be a common ground where company interests, the legislative field, and best practices meet. The EDPB’s last statement about the Data Protection Authorities acting as Market Authorities for AI Act compliance also confirmed the intersection of AI and privacy concerns.

We work to help our clients use AI responsibly and appropriately apply privacy by design to their business operations. The questions we receive daily help to prepare consultants at TechGDPR for what is to come in the near future. 

• How to use AI responsibly in business operations? 
• What guidelines should be put in place for the data privacy and AI intersection? 
• Are there any other data-related legislations in the EU that companies should comply with?
• How does the GDPR affect the implementation of AI in business operations?
• What other legislations affect data processing in the EU?

These were some of the important questions that directed us to build the concept of Data Officer. The Data Officer role combines the traditional responsibilities of privacy professionals with the more complex European data landscape, where compliance intersects with new data laws and the AI Act. A Data Officer focuses on data protection procedures, manages data privacy policies, and keeps companies updated with AI Act requirements and how to use AI responsibly. The focus is on compliance, but another aspect of Data Officer is that it also aligns data strategy with business goals. Data governance, in its simplest terms, is handled by the Data Officer.

Benefits of a Data Officer for Companies

A Data Officer can help SMEs navigate compliance challenges and align their business goals with industry realities. One significant advantage would be that the approach is practical, backed up by case studies TechGDPR has solved. This helps companies operate safely in the EU, without worrying about upcoming changes or data compliance requirements. The state-of-the-art diligence and experience of the Data Officer will lead companies to better compliance.

Maintaining industry standards and aligning business goals with the EU’s complex data laws is challenging. TechGDPR consultants are prepared to guide companies through their new data journey in the EU.

With our experienced team and developed guidelines, the Data Officer will guide through the complex EU legal framework. Companies using Data Officer services will ensure solid privacy by design and AI Act compliance in their operations. Our niche experience with international clients helps companies turn data into a competitive advantage in the EU.

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