European Ombudsman opens inquiry into AI use in EU funding evaluations
The European Ombudsman has launched a formal inquiry into the use of artificial intelligence in the assessment of EU funding proposals, following concerns about transparency and data protection.
European Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho has opened a formal investigation into how artificial intelligence may have been used in evaluating applications for EU funding programmes. The inquiry follows allegations that external experts relied on AI tools when assessing project proposals.
The complaint arose after a Polish company was unsuccessful in securing funding from the European Innovation Council Accelerator programme for a proposal submitted before the November 2023 deadline. The company alleged that the use of third-party AI systems affected the fairness of the evaluation process.
While the Ombudsman found no grounds to reopen the individual case, the office initiated a broader inquiry into the governance of AI use in funding assessments. Concerns include whether applicants are informed when AI systems are used, how such tools influence expert judgments, and whether sensitive commercial information could be exposed through external platforms.
The investigation will involve document inspections through March, followed by meetings with EU institutions in April. The inquiry aims to determine whether existing procedures provide sufficient transparency and safeguards, and whether regulatory or procedural adjustments are needed.
