The AI Act has been in force for some time – however, its successful implementation depends crucially on harmonized technical standards. If these are designed in a practical way, they can serve as a model for global AI regulation. Failure to do so will result in years of very costly compliance projects, especially for SMEs and startups.
Together with the General Catalyst Institute, under the leadership of our board member Dr. Robert Kilian, we surveyed 23 leading European companies and organizations – including Mistral AI, Xayn, and Helsing. The result: The current standardization process is too complex and too expensive.
📌 Three key findings:
1️⃣ The planned ~30 (partially referenced) standards cannot be implemented in a few months. Realistically, at least 12 more months are needed for implementation.
2️⃣ SMEs have hardly any resources for standardization - large players dominate the process. 3️⃣ Compliance costs: Even smaller companies expect up to €200,000 per year for the AI Act alone. Without targeted funding, innovation is at risk.
📖 The study was also published today by OECD.AI.
‼️ Robert Kilian on the publication: "In addition to harmonizing and revising EU digital files, we must focus on implementing existing laws to significantly reduce the regulatory burden on companies. There is enormous potential and an urgent need to utilize the scope for implementation provided by the legislature, especially in technical standardization."
A big thank you goes to the authors of the study: Dr. Robert Kilian, Linda M. Jaeck, and Dominik Ebel!