Italy and Hungary have failed to meet a key EU deadline to appoint national authorities responsible for protecting fundamental rights in AI use.
The European Commission confirmed that both countries missed the 2 November 2024 deadline set under the EU’s new Artificial Intelligence Act. This law, which came into force in August 2024, requires each EU member state to name public bodies to oversee how AI tools are used and to ensure that human rights are not violated.
A spokesperson for the Commission said the EU executive is in contact with both countries and is offering support as they work to meet their obligations. The EU is also working closely with all member states to ensure there is a shared understanding of which bodies should be responsible for protecting rights.
There is significant variation in how many authorities each country has listed. Bulgaria appointed nine, including the national Ombudsman and the Data Protection Authority. Portugal named 14, Slovakia only two, and Spain 22.
Each EU country is expected to tailor its list based on its national legal system and the existing responsibilities of its watchdogs.
The next major step is for member states to appoint a market surveillance authority by August 2025. These agencies will enforce the AI Act and ensure compliance across the bloc.
So far, the Commission has not revealed which countries have named their surveillance authorities. The pressure is now on Italy and Hungary to catch up with the rest of the EU.
