The High-Level Reflection Group on the Future of the Commission’s Civil Service urged the European Commission to create artificial intelligence (AI) leadership roles and sandbox pilots, saying efficiency gains depend on administrative change.
The nine-member group, chaired by former Commission Secretary-General Catherine Day, released its report Oct. 26. It is external advice for the Commission’s administrative review, not adopted policy; the report says it does not represent the institution’s official position.
The group recommends a Chief AI Officer for the Commission and an AI officer in each Directorate-General. It says the roles’ responsibilities and reporting lines should be set by mid-2027.
It also proposes AI-specific sandboxes in two or three volunteer Directorates-General by the end of 2027. The pilots would exempt defined categories of AI tools used in internal processes from standard procurement and compliance timelines.
Before AI systems are used in decisions affecting citizens or Commission staff, the report calls for assessments of risks and effects on rights. It says policy and public-service work should remain under human control and that officials must take responsibility for outputs attributed to them.
The group said AI could change staffing needs, including through employee moves and additional training. It argued that efficiency also depends on adapting workflows and building staff capability. The report identified a culture that penalizes failed experiments more than inaction as a barrier to trying new approaches.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the report Oct. 26. She said AI could help make Commission services less burdensome for businesses and citizens, and called for staff training, simpler procedures and public spending that delivers practical results.
The report said the Commission’s last broad review of its administrative structure dates back more than a quarter-century, and referred to the 2000 White Paper on reforming the institution. European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin is leading the Commission’s review, which is due to produce final recommendations by the end of 2026.
