During the presentation ceremony, the logo of the agency was unveiled. This event highlighted the opportunity represented by the launch of this key institution for AI governance at a crucial time. The evolution of this technology is demonstrating its strong impact on productivity and economic growth, and AESIA will need to implement the European AI Regulation and the recent Spanish AI strategy.
In recent days, two significant milestones have been achieved for the launch of AESIA: the appointment of its Director General, Ignasi Belda, and the signing of the agreement with the Concello da Coruña for the transfer of the emblematic La Terraza building, where the institution’s headquarters will be established after refurbishment work this summer. Additionally, measures will be taken to staff AESIA and establish relationships with the AI ecosystem at both national and international levels.
Functions and Next Steps of AESIA
AESIA has five main missions. The first is to act as a think & do tank, anticipating trends, disseminating knowledge, and stimulating social debate about the possibilities and limits of AI. The second is to supervise high-risk AI systems, coordinate oversight with market surveillance authorities, promote standards and best practices, and evaluate AI models. The third is to ensure the uniform application of the European AI Regulation in coordination with the European AI Office and other supervisory authorities of the European Union. The fourth function is to promote AI innovation in both the public and private sectors, facilitating regulatory compliance and developing best practices, including the development of sectoral test environments (sandboxes). Lastly, the fifth mission is to participate in the global AI debate, advocating for trustworthy, responsible, and humanistic AI, and avoiding regulatory fragmentation. Additionally, measures will be taken to staff AESIA and establish relationships with the AI ecosystem at both national and international levels. "I envision Aesia being as present in our lives as the Bank of Spain is today," the minister stated.
In the coming weeks, the recruitment of AI specialists for the General Secretariat and the Division Heads of AESIA will begin. Additionally, the staffing structure will be approved, and the selection process for civil service and labor personnel will be initiated, along with a program for incorporating young talent. Ignasi Belda will establish relationships with relevant AI organizations in Spain and participate in international AI forums, such as the AI Council in Brussels.
The team is expected to reach about 80 people, with a continuous addition of staff from the initial weeks until that number is reached in the first phase. The timeline for these hires will largely depend on Ignasi Belda, the director of Aesia. However, Escrivá has indicated that fulfilling all the agency's responsibilities and functions "will require many resources over a period of two and a half years." Multiple strategies will be used for recruiting workers.
The minister explained that it will include both civil servants and labor personnel, as well as "new modalities of access to public service." Notably, there is a proposal to select the best university graduates in the country to join Aesia through internship contracts. The minister emphasized the importance of investing in young talent and multidisciplinary profiles. "We already have excellent human capital in A Coruña," he stated.
