"We can use AI to move towards higher value-added products and services. The 'AI sandbox' being developed would allow companies in Lithuania to safely develop and test AI solutions before bringing them to market. Proper implementation of the requirements of the EU's AI law would make Lithuanian businesses more confident that their technologies meet EU standards," said A. Trachimovič, the Vice-Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
Under the amendments approved by the Seimas, the Innovation Agency and the Communications Regulatory Authority will become the main institutions to help companies implement the requirements of the EU AI law. The Innovation Agency will be responsible for notifying conformity assessment bodies for high-risk AI systems, while the Communications Regulatory Authority will be responsible for market surveillance of AI systems.
Notified bodies - companies, research and academic institutions - will carry out conformity assessment and certification of high-risk AI systems. This will help ensure that AI systems placed on the market, or the products in which they are integrated, are reliable and safe.
The amendments adopted by the Seimas also introduce a new function for the Innovation Agency to assess the business development potential of start-ups seeking state support.
Accelerating the development of high value-added products and services would help to differentiate high potential start-ups from other small and micro enterprises. This would provide a targeted incentive for companies with high growth potential and ensure that support to strengthen such start-ups is targeted to them.
The provisions adopted by the Seimas are set out in the Law on Technology and Innovation and the Law on Information Society Services. Many of the new provisions of these laws would enter into force on 1 April this year.
