The EU AI Office and European AI Board

The European AI Office sits within the Commission. It supports implementation of the AI Act and has direct enforcement responsibilities for general-purpose AI model providers. Commission materials describe powers that include requesting information, evaluating models, requesting access for assessment, asking for corrective measures, and applying sanctions where the Act is breached. Its scope also includes certain AI systems made by the same GPAI provider or integrated into designated very large online platforms or search engines. The European AI Board has a different role. It includes representatives from EU Member States and is supported by the AI Office. The Board coordinates national authorities, shares technical and regulatory expertise, and advises on consistent application of the Act. It is a coordination and advisory body, not the Commission office that directly investigates GPAI providers or a national regulator deciding every local case. Member States designate national competent authorities. Market-surveillance authorities supervise other AI systems, including high-risk systems, under national procedures; notifying authorities oversee the bodies that perform conformity assessments. The European Data Protection Supervisor has a separate role for AI systems used by EU institutions. A complaint or compliance question should be directed to the authority with jurisdiction over the provider, system, and issue. The AI Office also works with the Scientific Panel of independent experts and the Advisory Forum of stakeholders. These bodies supply different kinds of expertise and do not replace enforcement authorities. As of September 2026, the AI Act’s enforcement architecture is active, but individual obligations apply on a phased timeline that the 2026 Omnibus amended. Check the current Commission timeline and consolidated regulation for the rule and date relevant to a specific system.