What is the purpose of regulatory sandboxes as promoted by the EU AI Act?

The purpose of regulatory sandboxes, as promoted by the EU AI Act, is to facilitate innovation in a controlled environment. These sandboxes provide a framework where developers and companies can test their AI technologies under real-world conditions but with certain regulatory safety nets in place. This approach helps ensure that innovations can be assessed in terms of compliance with existing regulations while also allowing for the exploration of new ideas and methods.

By enabling developers to experiment, regulatory sandboxes aim to promote responsible AI development, ensuring that new technologies are safe and ethical before they are widely deployed. This supportive environment helps to balance the need for innovation with the protection of individuals and society from potential risks associated with AI.