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The government approved a key document for the development and safety of AI in the Czech Republic

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mechanical engineering Brno

Prague, 28 May 2025 - The Government of the Czech Republic approved the Draft Implementation of the Act on Artificial Intelligence in the Czech Republic. It includes the creation of a key tool for the development of AI in the Czech Republic, the so-called regulatory sandbox, as well as the introduction of a clear legal framework and oversight mechanism. This will ensure that high-risk AI systems meet all legal requirements, especially in the areas of safety and ethics.

Key roles in the implementation of the Act on Artificial Intelligence in the Czech Republic will be played by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic (MIT), the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU), the Office for Technical Standardization, Metrology and State Testing (ÚNMZ) and the Czech Agency for Standardization (ČAS).

Risky AI systems will be "under surveillance"

The development and implementation of AI will also create systems that may be risky from a security or ethical perspective. Examples of high-risk systems include biometric identification, automated assessment of visa applications, software for grading CVs for admissions, AI applications in robot-assisted surgery, etc.

These systems will have to undergo certification to verify that they meet all legal requirements. So-called 'conformity assessments' will be carried out by independent organisations to check that AI systems meet the legal requirements. These organisations, known professionally as 'conformity assessment bodies', will oversee, for example, the transparency, accuracy and cyber security of high-risk AI systems.

The so-called "notifying authority" decides whether a conformity assessment body is sufficiently qualified and competent to grant AI certifications. In the Czech Republic, this will be the Office for Conformity Assessment (ÚNMZ), which will supervise and register (notify) conformity assessment bodies to the competent authorities of the European Commission.

As the notifying authority, the MHRA will not carry out certifications or provide any activities carried out by conformity assessment bodies. Nor will it provide consultancy services on a commercial or competitive basis. "Our goal is to create a transparent and quality environment in the Czech Republic that will allow only trustworthy and competent entities to certify AI systems according to the rules of the European Act on Artificial Intelligence," Says Jiří Kratochvíl, Chairman of the ÚNMZ.

Development of AI in the Czech Republic will be ensured by sandbox under the supervision of ČAS

The regulatory sandbox, which the Czech Standards Agency is responsible for creating, is a key tool for the development of AI. "It will enable businesses and researchers to test innovative AI solutions, such as autonomous systems or advanced analytical tools, in a controlled environment under the supervision of regulators," Says Zdeněk Veselý, CEO of ČAS and adds: "This approach will accelerate the development of new technologies, ensure their compliance with the AI Act and minimise pre-market risks. We have high hopes for AI in sectors where we have a long tradition, know-how and experienced people. As an example, I will cite the implementation and development of AI in the automotive industry."

The role of key institutions in implementing the AI Act

  • Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT): As a gestor, it coordinates the implementation of the AI Act in the Czech Republic. It will prepare a draft AI Act and establish an AI Competence Centre for eGovernment.
  • Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU): Appointed by the Market Surveillance Authority, it will ensure compliance with the AI Act's rules on market regulation.
  • Office for Technical Standardization, Metrology and State Testing (ÚNMZ): It acts as the notifying authority that will designate and notify conformity assessment bodies and monitor their activities in accordance with the requirements of the AI Act.
  • Czech Standards Agency (CSA): Responsible for creating and managing a regulatory sandbox to support innovation and testing of AI technologies.

Cooperation with the private sector

The Czech Standards Agency wants to work closely with the professional community and the private sector in the construction and operation of the regulatory sandbox. For this reason, it has established cooperation with the Czech Association of Artificial Intelligence and has concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation with it, the main purpose of which is to support research, development and testing of AI systems, especially through the regulatory sandbox.

"Today's approval of the implementation plan by the Czech government is an absolutely crucial step for the development of AI in the Czech Republic. We are ready to cooperate with the state authorities and we look forward to the implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation with CAS, which will support the establishment and operation of the regulatory sandbox," He told Lukáš Benzl, Director of the Czech Association of Artificial Intelligencewho added: "In order for the EU and the Czech Republic to compete in AI with China or the US, cooperation between the public and private sectors must work well. Flexible and rapid exchange of knowledge and know-how is essential and we will be happy to contribute to this with our membership in the framework of the Memorandum."