Governance

KI‑Beirat

National expert advisory council on artificial intelligence.

How the laws define this

Regulatory guidance establishes the KI-Beirat as an independent expert advisory council providing counsel to government bodies on the technical, ethical, and legal or societal aspects of artificial intelligence. These sources agree that the council serves a consultative, non-enforcement role aimed at providing feedback, informing policy, and guiding implementation. The instruments diverge primarily regarding the specific mandate, composition, and institutional focus assigned to the board. Under the amendment to the KommAustria‑Gesetz, the KI-Beirat is defined as an eleven-member body tasked with monitoring developments and supporting national AI strategy alongside EU AI Act implementation. In contrast, the Strategy of the Federal Government for Artificial Intelligence – Implementation Plan 2024 emphasizes the board's role in providing external feedback specifically to government bodies and the AI Policy Forum. Meanwhile, the instrument governing the KI-Servicestelle establishment at RTR focuses on the council’s duty to inform Servicestelle outputs and facilitate coordination across competent authorities, industry, research, and civil society.

Synthesised from the 3 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
Austria	Advisory Board for Artificial Intelligence	In Force	Specifies eleven-member council established by amendment to the KommAustria-Gesetz, tasked with counseling government and RTR on technical, ethical, societal aspects, monitoring developments, supporting strategy and EU AI Act implementation, issuing recommendations, and public engagement, with no enforcement powers.
Austria	AI Service Office — establishment at RTR	In Force	Defines it as required independent advisory board tied to RTR-hosted AI Service Office, focusing on facilitating stakeholder collaboration, informing Service Office outputs, and supporting coordination among authorities, industry, research, and civil society.
Austria	Strategy of the Federal Government for Artificial Intelligence – Implementation Plan 2024	Adopted	Presents it as independent council of ethics, legal, and technical experts offering advice, feedback, and guidance to government bodies and AI Policy Forum on ethical, legal, and technical AI policy aspects, without specifying legal basis or detailed tasks.

Definitions (3)

An eleven-member expert advisory council established by amendment to the KommAustria‑Gesetz to counsel the Austrian Federal Government and RTR on technical, ethical and societal aspects of artificial intelligence, monitor developments, and support national AI strategy and EU AI Act implementation. The Beirat issues recommendations and engages in public discussion but holds no enforcement powers.

Beirat für Künstliche Intelligenz (AI Advisory Board / KI‑Beirat)Definition 1 of 3

An independent advisory council composed of ethics, legal and technical experts that provides advice, external feedback and guidance to government bodies and the AI Policy Forum on ethical, legal and technical aspects of AI policy and implementation.

Strategy of the Federal Government for Artificial Intelligence – Implementation Plan 2024 (KI-Umsetzungsplan 2024)Definition 2 of 3

The KI-Beirat is the required independent advisory board created to provide expert advice to RTR and government members on AI matters; it facilitates stakeholder collaboration, informs Servicestelle outputs, and supports coordination among competent authorities, industry, research and civil society. Its establishment and consultative role are mandated by the statutory amendments establishing the Servicestelle.

KI-Servicestelle (AI Service Office) — establishment at RTRDefinition 3 of 3

Not to be confused with

Servicestelle

Servicestelle is the RTR-hosted AI service office providing guidance and coordination, while KI-Beirat is its associated expert advisory council.

KI‑Servicestelle

KI-Servicestelle is the RTR-hosted service hub for AI guidance and resources, distinct from the KI-Beirat advisory council that supports it.

Questions and answers

What is the role of Austria's KI-Beirat?

The KI-Beirat advises the Austrian Federal Government and RTR on AI matters, focusing on technical, ethical, and societal aspects, monitors developments, supports strategy implementation, and engages stakeholders, but has no enforcement powers.

Is the KI-Beirat legally mandated in Austria?

Yes, it is established by law through 2024 amendments to the KommAustria-Gesetz and tied to the establishment of the KI-Servicestelle at RTR.

How does KI-Beirat relate to Austria's national AI strategy?

It provides expert advice and guidance to support implementation of Austria's AI strategy and related measures across ministries.