Sandbox IA

Last update: 01/07/2026

The Spanish Sandbox AI pilot is created, through collaboration with the European Commission (DG-CNECT) within the framework of Royal Decree 817/2023, of 8 November, where a controlled testing environment is established for the testing of compliance with the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing harmonized rules in the field of artificial intelligence. The call for the pilot was made through the Resolution of the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, of December 20, 2024, which called for access to the controlled testing environment for reliable artificial intelligence.

The main objective of this AI sandbox pilot has been to improve the technical guides prepared by the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (SEDIA), designed to support companies in compliance with the AI Regulation, since the AI Regulation does not yet have technical standards and is in the process of legislative simplification, which is generating uncertainty in the Spanish business fabric. The guides aim to reduce that uncertainty and, to ensure its usefulness, the pilot has been a crucial tool to obtain practical information from real companies and systems that are in the market and must face challenges arising from regulatory compliance.

These guidelines seek to clarify the obligations applicable to high-risk systems and facilitate the transfer of knowledge, promoting the development of solutions aligned with the legal and ethical principles established by the Regulation. In addition, it promotes reliable innovation and allows us to assess the real impact of regulatory obligations, contributing to European standardisation. Ultimately, it aspires to position Spain as a leader in responsible AI at a European and global level.

After several months of work, the Sandbox of Artificial Intelligence of Spain has ended, culminating a pioneering process aimed at facilitating the advance towards an artificial intelligence aligned with European values, the protection of fundamental rights and the promotion of responsible innovation.