Artificial Intelligence in Finland

Appointed supervisory authority in Finland

European Level

The European Commission established the European AI Office (AI Office) on 24 January 2024. The AI Office is a European Commission function and forms part of the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology; it must therefore operate in accordance with the Commission's internal processes. The AI Office is responsible for assisting the European Commission with the oversight, monitoring and enforcement of requirements for GPAI models and systems. It is primarily made up of hired full-time staff from a range of backgrounds such as technology specialists, economists, policy specialists and lawyers.

In addition, the European Artificial Intelligence Board (AI Board) has also been established. The AI Board's core responsibility is to advise and assist the Commission and Member States to facilitate the consistent and effective application of the EU AI Act. The AI Board will include a representative from each Member State and the AI Office and the European Data Protection Supervisor shall participate as non-voting observers.

Member State Level

Article 70 of the EU AI Act concerns the designation of national competent authorities by EU Member States. It specifies that each Member State shall establish or designate as national competent authorities at least one notifying authority and at least one market surveillance authority for the purposes of the general supervision and enforcement of the EU AI Act. Where multiple market surveillance authorities are appointed, one of the market surveillance authorities must act as the single point of contact. The authorities must operate independently and without bias. Member States were required to notify the Commission of their appointed authorities and publicly available information on how to contact them by 2 August 2025. The designation of national authorities has been slower than expected, which may affect early enforcement consistency.

Supervisory authority in Finland

The Finnish authorities protecting fundamental rights under the AI Act:

  • Data Protection Ombudsman
  • Non-Discrimination Ombudsman
  • Ombudsman for Equality
  • National Discrimination and Equality Tribunal of Finland
  • Chancellor of Justice
  • Parliamentary Ombudsman
  • Occupational safety and health authorities (Regional State Administrative Agencies)
  • Consumer Ombudsman

The government proposal HE 46/2025 also introduces a suggestion of competent market surveillance authorities. which is rather extensive. According to the proposal:

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency shall take over the role of the notifying authority. It will also monitor compliance with the transparency obligations under Article 50 of the AI Act.

As a market surveillance authority, the Data Protection Ombudsman monitors compliance with the prohibited AI-related practices under Article 5 of the AI Act.

The Financial Supervisory Authority is the authority which shall report to the European Central Bank.

For high-risk AI systems, the proposal suggests that the relevant market surveillance authority may be one of the following, depending on the context:

  • Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes)
  • Customs
  • Finnish Transport and Communications Agency
  • Occupational safety and health authorities (Regional State Administrative Agencies)
  • Finnish Medicines Agency
  • Energy Authority
  • Data Protection Ombudsman
  • National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health
  • Financial Supervisory Authority

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