AI Act Faces Enforcement Challenges Due to Budget and Expertise Shortages
The enforcement of the EU AI Act faces significant challenges due to a shortage of funding and technical expertise among member states, according to Kai Zenner, a digital policy advisor to the European Parliament. Many national governments are experiencing severe budget constraints, making it difficult to allocate resources for effective AI regulation. Existing data protection agencies are already underfunded and are losing skilled professionals to the private sector, where tech companies can offer substantially higher salaries.
Zenner, who contributed to the draft of the EU AI Act, highlighted that the combination of limited financial resources and a deficit of technical talent will be a primary obstacle to the Act’s successful implementation. He noted that member states are required to designate national authorities to oversee AI rule enforcement by August 2, 2025, but doubts remain about their ability to prioritize regulatory spending over essential public services.
The Act, which took effect in August 2024, represents the world’s first comprehensive legal framework governing AI development, deployment, and use within the European Union. Its impact extends beyond the EU, affecting US companies that operate in the European market. However, Zenner expressed skepticism that even economically stable member states will be willing to invest in compliance, especially as many governments are focused on fostering AI innovation to drive economic growth.
Zenner also pointed out that the European Commission is competing with the private sector for the same pool of AI talent, further complicating the regulatory build-up. He estimated that it will take at least two to three years for authorities to develop the necessary capacity. Criticizing the final version of the Act as vague and self-contradictory, Zenner questioned whether the regulation will ultimately succeed without hampering innovation.
Source: EU AI Act Enforcement Hampered By Lack of Funding, Expertise
