Calling all concerned: EU recruits AI safety experts to enforce world’s first major AI law

The European Union Commission has opened applications for researchers to join an expert advisory panel that will guide the implementation of the AI Act, particularly focusing on the safety requirements for general-purpose AI systems. The initiative reflects the EU’s commitment to establishing robust scientific oversight as it moves from AI regulation on paper to practical enforcement.

What you should know: The EU AI Office is seeking qualified researchers to provide technical expertise on one of the world’s most comprehensive AI regulatory frameworks.

• Applicants must hold a PhD or demonstrate equivalent professional experience in relevant fields.
• The panel will specifically advise on general-purpose AI system safety, a critical component of the AI Act’s risk-based approach to regulation.
• Non-EU nationals are eligible to apply, though more than 80% of selected advisers will be EU citizens.

Why this matters: As the AI Act transitions from legislation to implementation, the EU needs technical expertise to translate broad regulatory principles into specific, enforceable standards that will affect AI development globally.

• The advisory panel will help determine how major AI systems are evaluated for safety and compliance.
• These decisions could influence how companies like OpenAI, Google, and Meta deploy their AI models in European markets.
• The EU’s approach may serve as a template for other jurisdictions developing their own AI governance frameworks.

How to apply: Interested researchers can submit their expressions of interest through the European Commission’s digital strategy portal.

• The call represents an opportunity for AI safety researchers to directly influence regulatory implementation.
• Selected advisers will play a crucial role in shaping how the world’s first major AI law operates in practice.