WORK PACKAGES
The work plan is structured along the two core activities of developing a suite of testing tools and procedures (WP2) and contributing to AI standardisation (WP4). In order to ensure technical coherence and maximise legal certainty for providers, this project proposes to build on their strong interplay and hence is organised to synchronise their respective tasks.
Other related activities are interleaved with that work programme: validation of the test approach on case studies to refine recommendations (WP3), offering training to public authorities in relation with the project’s topics and outputs (WP5), establishing an active communication network among market surveillance authorities and the EC for their own coordination and collaboration, but also for collecting their needs and feedback to inform the rest of the project’s work (WP6). Project management efforts will monitor dependencies and ensure coherence within that work plan (WP1).
WP1
Project management and coordination
will assume coordination activities, implement trade-offs to mitigate risks and operate daily management on administrative aspects.
WP2
Development of an AI testing suite
will assemble an AI testing suite, targeted at the AI Act requirements and based on AI Act standards (in the context of the EC standardisation request to CEN-CENELEC). This includes identification and implementation of existing tools and methods, as well as development of new tools and methods whenever gaps or deficiencies are identified.
WP3
Case studies and recommendations
will test and validate on case studies the test suite assembled in WP2 as well as the general testing approach. This includes preliminary testing, in cooperation with providers of AI systems that market surveillance authorities will need to test for checking compliance with the AI Act, as well as consultation with interested national authorities to obtain feedback on usability and relevance of the testing output. Based on the results of this preliminary testing activity, recommendations on the organisation, infrastructure and technical processes of future EU AI testing facilities will be formulated.
WP4
Standardisation and expertise
covers all standardisation activities, including mapping of the AI Act requirements, expert contributions and leadership activities in the relevant standardisation projects (at CEN-CENELEC JTC 21, but ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 42 as well), and the involvement and on-boarding of newcomers to standardisation. This work package includes not just the provision of expertise to the standardisation projects, but also advising authorities (the EC including the AI Office, market surveillance authorities) on scientific and technical aspects upon request.
WP5
Training courses
encompasses the design and development of training materials, as well as execution of training courses for national authorities and the EC. The training can include general information on AI, as well as particular knowledge for testing of AI systems, and will be customised to the needs of these stakeholders.
WP6
Dissemination and workshops
covers dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities. It includes the creation of online collaboration forum (such as dedicated channels and monthly video calls), as well as face-to-face workshops. These serve the purpose of information exchange, both amongst national authorities and also between authorities and the consortium in order to provide feedback channels for the user-aligned design and improvement of the testing implementations.