CDT Europe is a Brussels-based organisation that works to uphold fundamental rights and the public interest in tech policy. It promotes policies, laws and technical designs that empower people while protecting against discriminatory and exploitative uses.
This grant will support CDT Europe’s to continue advocacy for AI regulation in Europe. CDT Europe will explore how new laws, such as the Digital Fairness Act, can address gaps in existing EU legislation on AI-related harms.
In parallel, CDT Europe will continue to promote civil society participation in the AI Act’s implementation and enforcement by channelling expertise to key EU stakeholders.
Building on the coordination CDT Europe steered during the AI Act negotiations, with this grant they brought together key civil society organisations and decision-makers to discuss and collaborate on key AI Act milestones to ensure collective work towards its successful implementation.
CDT Europe conducted research into how individuals can challenge the harms caused by AI systems using the AI Act and existing legislation. They identified gaps that warrant further updates to the law, and monitored the progress of the AI Liability Directive. Their research was informed by sessions with groups impacted by AI harms and equality law experts.
With this grant, CDT Europe facilitated dialogue between lawmakers and civil society at a crucial point in the AI Act development, including a roundtable event attended by 35 government officials attended representing 15 EU member states.
Civil society coordination led to a joint CSO strategy and a common voice, prioritising a rights-based approach and a holistic framework that ensures the protection of the most vulnerable and at-risk groups; strong accountability and transparency measures; strict regulation and prohibitions as necessary on the use of AI in the context of law enforcement and migration; and access to effective remedy and redress.