Support to companies in dealing with new laws and data-driven services

A number of European cities, together with entrepreneurs and institutes, have taken a decisive step to coordinate and maximise the benefits of digitalisation, in the framework of the TEF, to contribute to the secure sharing of data and digital services, strengthen democracy and protect citizens' privacy. 

The rapid development of data-driven services risks being slowed down by new laws and regulations at EU level. To support entrepreneurship and innovation, the European Commission, through the Digital Europe Programme, has launched CitCom.ai, one of four so-called TEFs for smart and sustainable cities and communities. TEFs are specialised reference facilities to develop, validate and test AI and robotics solutions and help shorten the time for these innovations to reach the market.

CitCom.ai at RISE focuses on AI and support for analysing and adapting to the new and upcoming EU laws on data and AI. TEFs serve both as safety filters to test and validate complex digital technologies before they reach the market but also to shorten development time. 

- We want to make it easier for start-ups and SMEs to adapt to the new laws and bring their products and services to market faster. This involves AI-driven new public services, such as schools, social services, water and sewage, urban planning or traffic flows," explains Petra Dalunde, senior project manager and coordinator of AI testing at RISE. 

RISE plays a central role 

The project involves over thirty organisations from eleven Member States and is coordinated by the Technical University of Denmark. The Swedish research institute RISE, which is an accredited certification body, is a key player in the CitCom.ai project in relation to AI testing, with its hundreds of test and demo facilities and broad expertise.

RISE provides a versatile approach to cybersecurity, with onboarding, learning workshops, technical support and analysis of data and digital twins. They can also provide validation and verification in line with the AI Regulation guidelines, ethical review and expertise in cybersecurity and law, and business development support.

- Once laws and standards are in place, it is likely that certification of AI systems will also be available," says Ms Dalunde.

The goal is to facilitate the development of AI-driven products and societal services that are authorised for use in the EU and the rest of the world, and to establish a permanent, self-financed institution, like Bilprovningen, but now for AI systems, after the end of the project.

Through applied research, technology infrastructure, system perspectives, business development and collaboration, RISE drives innovation that is crucial to Sweden's competitiveness and transition. 

Read more

CitCom.ai and its goals

• Objective: To help innovative companies adapt their products to new EU laws on data and AI.
• Focus: Artificial Intelligence and data-driven solutions.
• Initiative period: Until 2027.
• Test areas: AI systems used in cities and communities, such as social services, schools, traffic, water and sewage.
• RISE role: Development of AI testing, cyber security and providing different types of physical and digital test beds for AI systems.
• Website: CitCom

Learn more about EU laws

• Data Act: Coordinates rules for reasonable access to data to make industrial data available and promote the economy.
• Interoperable Europe Act: Facilitates communication between systems across national borders in the EU.
• AI Act: Coordinates rules for reliable and safe AI systems in the EU.