To enhance the country’s competitiveness by utilizing the opportunities provided by artificial intelligence technology, a National Artificial Intelligence Center will be established. This center will be responsible for the development of this field in Latvia.
The Artificial Intelligence Center Law, adopted in its final reading by the Saeima, establishes the creation of an artificial intelligence technology ecosystem, its legal framework for cooperation between the public and private sectors and universities, supporting the responsible use and development of artificial intelligence technologies.
The law provides for the creation of the Artificial Intelligence Center, which will bring together representatives from the government, research, and digital sectors to promote mutual partnerships, the implementation and development of innovations, and the advancement of artificial intelligence initiatives in areas with high potential, in line with national interests and the country’s competitiveness.
The center’s goal is to enhance public skills and equality in the field of artificial intelligence, as well as to ensure that artificial intelligence systems are used ethically, responsibly, and safely, while respecting human fundamental rights. The center will also be tasked with implementing measures to mitigate the risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence.
The new law will come into force the day after its publication. The deadline for establishing the Artificial Intelligence Center is March 31 of this year.
A Special Sandbox The Saeima has granted the Artificial Intelligence Center the right to create a special regulatory environment for testing artificial intelligence systems. These environments will allow operations without applying certain regulatory requirements, while complying with the conditions outlined in the new law, including in data processing. The Cabinet of Ministers will determine the requirements for individuals involved in the special regulatory environment, their duties, actions regarding personal data, and the technical and organizational requirements to be followed during the data processing process.
“Investment attraction, promoting digital transformation, and the development of innovation are priorities that strengthen Latvia as a leading technology and business hub in Europe. To achieve these important goals for Latvian entrepreneurs, scientists, and society in general, the Ministry of Economics has found a way to reallocate funding in the amount of 370,000 euros for the establishment and operation of the center,” says Jurģis Miezainis, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Economics.
Establishing the Latvian National Artificial Intelligence Center To enhance the country's competitiveness by leveraging the opportunities of artificial intelligence, the Saeima has conceptually supported the urgent law proposal for the development of artificial intelligence in Latvia, as reported by Labs of Latvia.
The law proposal provides for the creation of the Latvian National Artificial Intelligence Center, which will bring together representatives from the government, research, and digital sectors to plan the development of the artificial intelligence industry and identify strategic development initiatives. Additionally, the center will focus on attracting investments of various scales and promoting the representation of the Latvian language in artificial intelligence models and applications.
From the perspective of the Ministry of Economics, it has been suggested that in the first five years, the center could attract 500 million euros in investments for projects developed within the center. In collaboration with global companies, five international projects could be implemented during this period, two to three artificial intelligence-based solutions could be introduced annually in public administration, and the level of innovation in the country could be increased. The use of artificial intelligence in the implementation of public functions will also help reduce the number of employees in public administration, according to Labs of Latvia.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs has also emphasized the importance of not delaying the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Center, as reported by Labs of Latvia. In his view, this is particularly crucial for the development of science and research and for deepening expertise in various practical areas, such as the defense industry.
