EU Initiative CERTAIN Aims to Drive Ethical AI Compliance and Sustainability in Europe

As the European Union moves closer to implementing its landmark AI Act, a new EU-funded initiative called CERTAIN is stepping up to help businesses and organizations navigate the complex landscape of ethical AI compliance. Short for “Certification for Ethical and Regulatory Transparency in Artificial Intelligence,” CERTAIN aims to develop tools and frameworks that promote transparency, compliance, and sustainability in AI technologies.

Launched in January 2025, the project is led by Idemia Identity & Security France and involves 19 partners across ten European countries, including the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Austria. With its focus on harmonizing standards and fostering innovation, CERTAIN could serve as a blueprint for global AI governance.

Driving Ethical AI Practices in Europe.

CERTAIN’s primary goal is to address the regulatory and ethical challenges posed by the EU AI Act, which imposes strict requirements on AI systems, particularly those classified as “high-risk” in sectors like healthcare, transportation, and law enforcement.

Sebastian Neumaier, Senior Researcher at St. Pölten UAS and project manager for CERTAIN, emphasized the initiative’s practical approach: “In CERTAIN, we want to develop tools that make AI systems transparent and verifiable in accordance with the requirements of the EU’s AI Act. Our goal is to develop practically feasible solutions that help companies efficiently fulfil regulatory requirements and sustainably strengthen confidence in AI technologies.”

To achieve this, CERTAIN is creating user-friendly tools and guidelines that simplify complex AI regulations, enabling both public and private organizations to implement these rules effectively. By bridging the gap between regulation and innovation, CERTAIN aims to empower businesses to leverage AI responsibly while fostering public trust.

Harmonizing Standards and Improving Sustainability.

One of CERTAIN’s key objectives is to establish consistent standards for data sharing and AI development across Europe. By setting industry-wide norms for interoperability, the project seeks to improve collaboration and efficiency in the use of AI-driven technologies.

The initiative also aims to unlock new opportunities for innovation by creating open and trustworthy European data spaces. These data spaces are seen as essential components for driving sustainable economic growth and ensuring that AI development aligns with the EU’s broader goals.

In line with the EU’s Green Deal, CERTAIN places a strong emphasis on sustainability. AI technologies, while transformative, often come with significant environmental challenges, such as high energy consumption and resource-intensive data processing. CERTAIN plans to address these issues by promoting energy-efficient AI systems and advocating for eco-friendly methods of data management.

A Collaborative Framework to Unlock AI Innovation.

A unique aspect of CERTAIN is its collaborative approach, which brings together researchers, tech companies, policymakers, and end-users to co-develop, test, and refine tools and standards. This practice-oriented exchange ensures that the project’s outcomes are not only practical but also widely adopted.

Beyond product development, CERTAIN serves as a central authority for informing stakeholders about legal, ethical, and technical matters related to AI and certification. By maintaining open channels of communication, the initiative aims to create a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities in ethical AI development.

CERTAIN is part of the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, specifically under Cluster 4: Digital, Industry, and Space. The project’s multidisciplinary and international consortium includes leading academic institutions, industrial giants, and research organizations, making it a powerful collective effort to shape the future of AI in Europe.

Kickstarting the Mission

In January 2025, representatives from all 20 consortium members met in Osny, France, to officially launch the project. The two-day meeting set the tone for CERTAIN’s ambitious agenda, with partners devising strategies to tackle the regulatory, technical, and ethical hurdles of AI.

Ensuring Compliance with Ethical AI Regulations.

As the EU’s AI Act edges closer to implementation, tools and guidelines like those developed under CERTAIN will be pivotal in helping organizations comply with the new regulations. The Act’s strict requirements aim to ensure safety and accountability, but they also pose significant challenges for businesses.

CERTAIN seeks to alleviate these challenges by providing actionable solutions that align with Europe’s legal framework while encouraging innovation. By doing so, the project will play a critical role in positioning Europe as a global leader in ethical AI development.

Conclusion.

CERTAIN represents a significant step forward in the EU’s efforts to balance innovation with ethical responsibility in AI development. By promoting transparency, compliance, and sustainability, the initiative aims to build public trust in AI technologies while ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of global AI governance.

As the project progresses, its outcomes could serve as a model for other regions grappling with the challenges of regulating AI in a way that fosters both innovation and accountability.

(Photo by Solen Feyissa)