The Draft Act on Artificial Intelligence and European Data Regulation: A Step Towards a Safer Digital Future in Slovakia
In the digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) and data have become an inseparable part of everyday life, and the need for their legal regulation has proven to be essential with their dynamic development. The Ministry of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic has submitted to the interdepartmental comment procedure a draft law on artificial intelligence and European data regulation (LP/2026/17), which aims to ensure the implementation of key European legislation, in particular the Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AI Act – EU 2024/1689), the Data Governance Regulation (Data Act – EU 2022/868) and the Data Regulation (Data Act – EU 2023/2854).
The proposed law, which should enter into force on 1 May 2026, introduces a new national framework for the supervision of the use of artificial intelligence, data management, as well as a system of sanctions for breach of legal obligations.
The European Union has been systematically working towards harmonising rules in the field of artificial intelligence and data since 2024 in order to support technological innovation, while at the same time placing emphasis on the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals. The key instrument of this strategy is the so-called “Digital Omnibus” – a package of measures that aims to simplify and harmonise the implementation of digital regulation, including the provisions of the Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AI Act). The central element is the comprehensive digital package that simplifies the rules on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data. It is complemented by a strategy for a Data Union to provide high-quality data for artificial intelligence and European corporate wallets that will allow companies to have a single digital identity. This is intended to facilitate administrative tasks and doing business in all EU Member States.
For the Slovak Republic, this means an obligation not only to apply directly enforceable European regulations, but also to create an adequate institutional and control framework at national level.
The Digital Integrity Office is to perform a coordinating and supervisory function over artificial intelligence systems, while cooperating with sectoral public administration bodies, such as the Personal Data Protection Office in cases of use of AI in the area of personal data processing or in the judicial environment.
However, with the expansion of regulatory obligations, there inevitably comes an increased regulatory risk for the entities concerned. The draft law envisages the possibility of banning or withdrawing risky artificial intelligence systems from the market, as well as imposing significant sanctions, which in the case of the most serious violations can reach up to 35 million euros or 7% of the total annual turnover of the entity concerned.
