Question 1

When must each EU member state have at least one AI regulatory sandbox operational according to the AI Regulation?

Accepted Answer

The AI Regulation requires each member state to have at least one AI regulatory sandbox operational by August 2026. The Netherlands is actively working on this and has already published a detailed proposal.

Question 2

What is the main goal of the Dutch AI sandbox?

Accepted Answer

The core of the sandbox is that providers can directly consult with supervisors about AI Regulation compliance during development. It increases legal certainty and stimulates innovation. The sandbox does NOT provide its own test facilities or certification.

Question 3

How many phases does the Dutch sandbox process have?

Accepted Answer

The Dutch process has 6 consecutive phases: (1) Pre-registration, (2) Registration & selection, (3) Preparation, (4) Participation, (5) Evaluation, and (6) Post-participation. This is a funnel from broad intake to focused deepening.

Question 4

Which organizations are involved in the Dutch sandbox core team?

Accepted Answer

The proposal was published by the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) and the Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate (RDI), together with other supervisors and ministries. The Netherlands chooses one central, multi-sectoral sandbox where all relevant market supervisors are connected.

Question 5

What is the advantage of 'testing in real-world conditions' within a sandbox trajectory?

Accepted Answer

The AI Regulation allows testing high-risk AI systems in real-world conditions without this counting as 'placing on the market', provided there are appropriate safeguards. This way you collect robust data to verify compliance before formally entering the market.

Question 6

What role does the Core Team have in the Dutch sandbox?

Accepted Answer

The Core Team is the first point of contact, answers simple questions, distributes expert questions and decides which cases are suitable for a trajectory. It also ensures knowledge sharing and an annual public report.

Question 7

What is an important consideration when preparing for the sandbox?

Accepted Answer

Essential is a clear articulation of your question. You must be able to precisely indicate which article or set of obligations you want to clarify, in which use context this applies, and with which assumptions you're working. Vague questions lead to generic answers without practical value.

Question 8

What happens in phase 5 (Evaluation) of the sandbox trajectory?

Accepted Answer

In the evaluation phase, results are recorded in a final report with activities, findings and lessons learned. This can possibly serve as written evidence for conformity assessment. There is no certification or license.

Question 9

What types of questions are suitable for the sandbox?

Accepted Answer

The sandbox is intended for questions about AI Regulation compliance for systems that (possibly) must meet requirements under that regulation. Other legislation is only included if relevant in the AI Regulation context.

Question 10

What is the ideal moment to approach the sandbox with your AI system?

Accepted Answer

The ideal moment is when you've made architectural choices but still have room for adjustments. Too early questions are often too abstract for concrete guidance, while too late questions offer little room for fundamental adjustments.

Dutch AI Sandbox