Antonio Tejeda Encinas , CEO Meta Channel Corp, president Comite Euro Americano Digital Law
The creation of the first regulatory sandbox for AI in Spain, driven by Royal Decree 817/2023, represents a pioneering step forward in the regulation of artificial intelligence technologies in Europe. This controlled environment allows our companies to test their developments under supervision, ensuring compliance with the European AI Regulation before reaching the market. However, while local SMEs and startups adapt to these requirements, large foreign corporations, with greater experience and resources, achieve a faster entry, generating a competitive disadvantage.
For the sandbox to be a genuine resource that strengthens our companies, it is essential to:
- Increase Flexibility in Processes: Streamline procedures, allowing parallel testing in low-risk phases, to reduce timeframes without losing rigor.
- Financial and Technical Support: Ensure that SMEs receive not only funding but also technical and legal advice, maximizing the efficiency of time spent in the sandbox.
- Alignment with European Regulations: Ensure that products comply with multiple regulatory frameworks, facilitating their adaptability within the EU and minimizing regulatory efforts across member states.
- Multinational Conformity in Europe: Leverage the sandbox to validate products in accordance with different European regulations, enabling a more agile integration into the market.
- Continuous Review of the Sandbox: Regularly adapt the sandbox to market needs to ensure it remains agile and efficient for local companies.
In short, Spain’s pioneering sandbox has the potential to transform regulatory compliance into a competitive advantage for our companies in the European environment. With these improvements, we can ensure that local SMEs and startups compete effectively, consolidating their position in the European AI market.
