AIG Newsletter 7 April 2025

NEWS

In this week's edition: The AI Board convenes for its third meeting. The EC announces a €1.3 billion investment in AI, cybersecurity and skills. It also launches a call for tenders for a study to evaluate AVMSD impact and announces a package of measures designed to bolster the long-term competitiveness of the European wine sector. Signatories to the Code of Conduct on Disinformation publish reports detailing efforts to combat disinformation online and a DMA data related obligations sub-group is set-up. The EP and EC are set to vote for the next European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and a new set of draft AVMSD Council Conclusions is leaked.

EC INVESTS €1.3 BILLION IN AI, CYBERSECURITY & SKILLS

On 28 March, the Commission announceda €1.3 billion allocation through the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) work programme for 2025-2027 to deploy technologies crucial for Europe's future and technological sovereignty. The programme targets AI adoption in businesses and public administration as well as digital skills development. The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) will provide quality labels for promising projects, with the next DIGITAL calls expected in April 2025.

AI BOARD CONVENES THIRD MEETING

On 24 March, the AI Board convenedfor the third time to address AI Act implementation and governance. Executive Vice-President Virkkunen presented the Commission's latest AI initiatives during the morning session. The afternoon featured the AI Board's decisions on communication and compliance strategies, alongside AI Office updates on critical deliverables including definitions, prohibitions and the Code of Practice. A technical briefing on recent AI developments and regulatory challenges concluded the meeting.

EC PREPARES TO STUDY AVMSD IMPACT & VALUE

On 28 March, the EC launched a call for tenders for a study to evaluate the impact and added value of the AVMSD. The study, open for submissions until 12 May, will gather information on the Directive's application in the evolving audiovisual market, assess its implementation, collect data on rules promoting European works, identify possible regulatory updates, and evaluate the impact of proposed policy options.

EC INTRODUCES MEASURES TO HELP EU WINE SECTOR

On 28 March, the EC published a proposal introducing measuresto bolster the long-term competitiveness and resilience of Europe's wine sector amidst challenges such as changing consumer preferences, climate change, and market instability. The comprehensive plan includes clarified marketing rules for innovative products like low-alcohol wines, harmonised labelling requirements across the EU, and extended promotional campaigns in third countries. 

CODE OF CONDUCT ON DISINFORMATION UPDATES

Signatories to the Code of Conduct on Disinformation such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, and TikTok have publishedtheir fifth biannual reportswhichdetailed their efforts to combat disinformation online. The EC and European Board for Digital Services endorsed the Code of Practice on Disinformation as a Code of Conduct on 13 February, integrating it into the DSA framework effective 1 July 2025, which will establish it as a benchmark for DSA compliance under Article 35.

EC SETS UP DMA DATA RELATED SUB-GROUP

The EC hasestablished the DMA data related obligations sub-groupto the High-Level Group for the DMA. The sub-group's primary task is to assist the EC with implementing existing Union legislation, programmes and policies, particularly focusing on the complementary application of these various regulatory frameworks to gatekeepers.

DECISION ON NEXT EU PRIVACY CHIEF IN DEADLOCK (EURONEWS)

The EP and EC are planning a parallel vote on 8 April to resolve the deadlock over the next European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) – the choice being between Bruno Gencarelli and current appointee Wojciech Wiewiórowski. LIBE coordinators are being asked to accept this proposal, with the email noting that it represents a "significant concession" by Parliament since Wiewióroswki ranked third behind Gencarelli and François Pellegrini. 

NEW AVMSD COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ARE LEAKED

The leaked draft Council conclusions on the assessment of the legal framework for the AVSMD called for further analysis on the scope of the AVMSD to cover emerging online content creators, the protection of minors from harmful content in light of changing consumption patterns and the interplay with the DSA, the obligations of video-sharing platform providers, and measures to support audiovisual media services and content in the face of disinformation and shifting advertising revenues. 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

7 April:CULT, ENVI, LIBE & IMCO Meetings

7 April: IMCO holding public hearing on the protection of minors online

9 April: ITRE meeting

9 April: IP and Artificial Intelligence Webinar (European Innovation Council & SMEs Executive Agency)

10 April:Data Act webinars: Consultation on the Draft Model Contractual Terms and Standard Contractual Clauses(European Commission)

10 April:Latest developments and considerations on engineering personal data protection in the AI era(ENISA)

21 April:Announcement of the fourth Omnibus Simplification Package on small-mid caps and the Single Market Strategy

23 April:IP and Artificial Intelligence - advanced (The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency)

24 April:Second Trilogue on the Green Claims Directive

24 April:Impact of AI on Media and Creative Industries Conference(The Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage)

28 April:Workshop on defining best practices for systemic risk evaluations (EU AI Office)

28 April:The future is data conference(The Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs)

30 April:The Great Debate Retail Media H1 2025(IAB Europe)