A citizens’ initiative registered by the European Commission on 6 October 2026 proposes a European “.IA” digital space for trustworthy AI. Whatever its outcome, it touches on key questions about how Europe governs artificial intelligence.
A question of digital sovereignty
The initiative reflects a wider debate on European digital sovereignty: who controls the infrastructure on which AI services run, and how users can recognise trustworthy AI. It builds on rules the EU has already adopted, notably the AI Act, eIDAS 2.0 and the GDPR, and asks whether a dedicated, identifiable space for AI services could make those rules easier to apply in practice.
How it connects to existing EU rules
- AI Act: the initiative links use of “.IA” to algorithmic audits under the EU’s rules on artificial intelligence.
- eIDAS 2.0: registration of “.IA” would be tied to the European Digital Identity.
- GDPR: personal data protection would apply to services in the “.IA” space.
What businesses should watch
The initiative is at an early stage, and signature collection has not yet started. Companies developing or deploying AI in the EU should, however, follow it alongside their existing obligations under the AI Act, the GDPR and the Digital Services Act, as the debate on trusted AI spaces may shape future rules.
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