To strengthen the country’s competitiveness and harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, Latvia will establish an Artificial Intelligence Centre responsible for AI development. This is stipulated in the Artificial Intelligence Centre Law, which was adopted in its final reading by the Saeima on Thursday, 6 March.
The new law promotes secure and trustworthy AI innovations across industries and lays the foundation for an AI technology ecosystem. It establishes a legal framework for collaboration between the public and private sectors and higher education institutions while supporting the responsible development and use of AI technologies.
The law mandates the creation of an Artificial Intelligence Centre, bringing together representatives from the state, research, and digital sectors to foster partnerships, drive innovation, and implement AI initiatives in high-potential fields that align with national interests and enhance Latvia’s competitiveness.
The centre’s mission is to raise public awareness, improve skills, and ensure equal access to AI while guaranteeing that AI systems are used ethically, responsibly, and securely, with full respect for fundamental human rights. Additionally, the centre will be responsible for implementing measures to mitigate the risks associated with AI applications.
The new centre will be established as a foundation, with founding members representing both the public and private sectors. The state will be represented by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM), the Ministry of Economics, and the Ministry of Defence. The private sector will be represented by the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association, while higher education institutions will be represented by the Latvian Universities Association. The centre will consist of a board, a director, and a secretariat, with oversight provided by the State Digital Development Agency. The board will have nine members.
The Saeima has also granted the Artificial Intelligence Centre the authority to establish special regulatory environments for AI system testing. Within these environments, certain legal requirements may be waived, provided that the conditions outlined in the new law, including data processing requirements, are met. The Cabinet of Ministers will define the obligations, data management procedures, and technical and organisational standards for entities operating within these regulatory environments.
AI has the potential to significantly enhance competitiveness and provide social and environmental benefits. It drives innovation and increases productivity, making it a strategic priority for Latvia. AI can offer solutions across various sectors, including healthcare, education, public safety, defence, cybersecurity, public service efficiency, energy, transport and logistics, and climate change mitigation, according to the explanatory note to the draft law prepared by VARAM.
However, the authors of the draft law also highlight several risks associated with AI, including the potential for unintended or improper use leading to inaccurate or discriminatory outcomes. AI can also be exploited for malicious activities, such as data corruption and manipulation, which pose risks to services, data security, and public trust. Strengthening national capabilities to monitor, regulate, and prevent AI-related threats and malicious applications is therefore essential.
The new law will come into effect the day after its promulgation, with the Artificial Intelligence Centre set to be established by 31 March of this year.
Saeima Press Service
