What to Expect from the Upcoming EU AI Act Sandboxes: Panel Report

Abstract The European Union’s (EU) AI Act, effective since August 2024, requires EU member states to establish regulatory sandboxes for AI systems by August 2026. However, many details remain unclear. This paper presents key insights from the “HI Ethics Forum Webinar: Regulatory Sandboxes Under the EU AI Act,” held on November 13, 2024. We share position statements from three panelists: Alex Moltzau (European Commission), Sophie Weerts (University of Lausanne), and Demian Niemeyer (AppliedAI). The paper explores three themes regarding regulatory sandboxes: their purpose and function, construction, and participation. Finally, we identify key questions to consider for establishing these sandboxes.