At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025, held in Shanghai on July 26, Dr Sebastian Hallensleben, Chair of CEN-CENELEC JTC 21, delivered a keynote on Europe’s evolving AI standardization landscape. He emphasized the critical role of harmonized standards in supporting the implementation of the EU AI Act, particularly in high-risk applications, and stressed that these standards offer legal certainty for AI developers.
Dr Hallensleben outlined JTC 21’s collaborative approach, drawing on expertise from over 1.000 experts across more than 25 countries and highlighted the importance of creating EU-specific standards that align with international standards while addressing regional regulatory requirements.
He also underscored the broader AI governance ecosystem, including Codes of Conduct and initiatives like the AI Trust Alliance, which contribute to fostering trustworthy, competitive, and innovation-friendly AI worldwide.
This contribution reinforces Europe’s leadership in shaping global AI norms and advancing safe and inclusive AI development.
Reflecting on his long-standing involvement in the field, Dr Hallensleben noted:
"My AI standardization work started by co-convening IEC SEG10 on AI ethics in a dual convenorship with my colleague Tangli Liu from CESI. I'm happy to continue contributing to this important international dialogue."
