A safe ecosystem as an EU priority

On Friday, 20 March, I attended a meeting of the European Artificial Intelligence Board in Brussels with colleagues from Slovakia’s Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI). Discussions with the responsible representatives of EU Member States made it clear that the coming months will not be about regulation alone. The key challenge is our ability to create a functioning ecosystem for safe innovation.

It is in this context that regulatory sandboxes are becoming increasingly important. They are not ordinary technology testing environments, but a framework established by law that enables structured cooperation between innovators and supervisory authorities.

What is an AI sandbox, and what value does it bring?

Under the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), a sandbox is a controlled environment in which AI systems can be tested under real-world conditions and under the direct supervision of a regulator before they are placed on the market.

Its importance lies in connecting three key dimensions:

  • Technical validation: checking compliance with requirements for safety, transparency and the protection of fundamental rights early in development.
  • Legal certainty (certitudo iuris): a clearer interpretation of rules that are often formulated in technology-neutral terms. In practice, this interpretation is essential when deciding the future direction of a product.
  • Support for innovation: reducing regulatory burdens, which is particularly relevant to startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

For businesses and investors, a sandbox is a way to reduce uncertainty. Identifying risks early can prevent costly changes later, speed up conformity assessment and strengthen the credibility of a solution with partners and the market.

Lessons from the EU and beyond

As we prepare Slovakia’s national approach, we are closely following countries that have already made progress in implementing sandboxes and are introducing practical innovations:

  • 🇲🇹 Malta: shows how to fund specific costs for experts who guide participants through a sandbox, focusing on key sectors such as healthcare and transport.
  • 🇸🇮 Slovenia: offers lessons from a long tradition, with sandboxes in legislation since 1996, and effective involvement of the market surveillance authority, AKOS.
  • 🇪🇸 Spain: offers a well-developed, phased methodology, from self-assessment and mentoring for SMEs to implementation itself.
  • 🇱🇺 & 🇫🇮 Luxembourg and Finland: are experimenting with tools such as a “Sandbox Configurator” and innovative RegTech solutions to automate compliance processes.
  • 🇪🇪 Estonia: is developing a cross-border sandbox concept that provides an effective entry point to the EU’s digital single market.
Another interesting example is a pilot project by the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), which is testing the use of AI to improve the efficiency of public services, such as help with finding employment.

The timetable and room for dialogue

Finally, it is important to clarify the current timetable. Although 2 August 2026 remains the formally applicable date for now, we have an important first-hand update.

Based on informal discussions with the European Commission and bilateral meetings last Friday, we expect this deadline to move to the end of 2027.

We see this additional time as a key opportunity. It would give Slovakia enough room to create the best possible conditions through intensive dialogue with social partners.

We will draw on both good and bad experiences of our EU partners, as well as innovative approaches outside the Union.

Sandboxes as a competitive advantage

As Slovakia’s Government Plenipotentiary for Artificial Intelligence, I see regulatory sandboxes as a key tool for connecting the ambition to innovate with the need to build trust. If we get this right, they can become a significant competitive advantage for Slovakia’s entire innovation ecosystem.

💬 Have you worked with sandboxes abroad, or are you considering using one in Slovakia? Which European model do you consider the most effective for our circumstances?

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