The Artificial Intelligence Centre (AIC) has published a project call inviting applications to participate in a dedicated regulatory environment (sandbox) for the development of artificial intelligence systems. The aim of the call is to select projects that require the development and refinement of AI solutions within a controlled and supervised environment while addressing compliance, safety, and regulatory considerations.
The regulatory sandbox is one of the AIC’s core instruments for promoting the safe, responsible, and practical development of artificial intelligence solutions in Latvia. During the selection process, projects will be evaluated based on their level of innovation, contribution to digital transformation goals, technical readiness, qualification as high-risk AI systems (considered an advantage), and the justification for operating within a regulatory environment.
AIC Director Guna Puce stated:
“With this call, we are taking a practical step toward fostering responsible AI development in Latvia. The regulatory sandbox enables project developers to identify compliance and safety challenges at an early stage while maintaining the pace of innovation.”
Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development Raimonds Čudars commented:
“In AI development, a clear and robust legal framework alone is not sufficient — it is equally important to create an environment that supports innovators and encourages practical experimentation with new solutions. The regulatory sandbox will allow companies and researchers to test their AI solutions in a safe and supervised setting while receiving support from competent authorities. This provides Latvian businesses with an opportunity to develop competitive, trustworthy, and market-ready AI solutions, strengthening both our economy and the country’s ability to leverage AI across sectors such as education, healthcare, and security.”
Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis added:
“Society has high expectations of the Artificial Intelligence Centre — from initiatives in digital education to innovative approaches in defence and healthcare. However, even the best ideas have little value if they remain only concepts. What is most needed is the rapid and purposeful transformation of these expectations into action. The Centre must lead by example through concrete pilot projects that demonstrate technological safety, regulatory compliance, and real added value in everyday life. Practical experimentation allows technical and ethical challenges to be identified early, supports the development of evidence-based standards and procedures, and creates a strong foundation for scaling and commercialization. Therefore, I encourage industry partners to submit projects and support institutions to help create practical pilot initiatives that not only describe possibilities but demonstrate measurable results — because real actions speak louder than words.”
In addition to the call, the AIC will organize an information day on 17 March 2026, titled “Regulatory Sandbox: From Idea to Application”. Interested participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the regulations, selection criteria, and practical aspects of preparing an application. More information about the event and registration is available here: Regulatory Sandbox: From Idea to Application.
