External AI officer for companies - legally compliant use of AI in accordance with the AI Regulation

Legal compliance and future-proofing through specialised expertise in IT law, data protection and artificial intelligence law

Artificial intelligence has long been an integral part of many business processes - from human resources to financial services and medical technology. Strict legal requirements apply, particularly in the high-risk areas defined by the AI Regulation (KI-VO). Companies are therefore well advised to appoint an external AI officer at an early stage in order to act in a legally compliant manner and reliably fulfil regulatory requirements.

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Why an external AI officer makes sense

  • Expert knowledge: Our specialised lawyers undergo continuous further training in technical and legal aspects - with a focus on the legal framework of artificial intelligence in companies.
  • Ensuring legal compliance: High-risk AI systems, for example in medical technology, public administration or HR, are subject to clear legal requirements. We help you to minimise legal risks and fulfil regulatory obligations.
  • Ensuring AI compliance: Data protection, labour law, IT law, product liability law and AI-specific regulations - we navigate your company through the complex set of rules.
  • Risk minimisation: We identify potential risks at an early stage and help you to avoid them through a well-founded legal assessment of AI systems.
  • Creating transparency and trust: Appointing an independent external AI officer signals a sense of responsibility and strengthens trust in the use of AI among employees, customers and business partners.

Why lawyers specialising in IT law are ideally suited

A lawyer specialising in IT law has in-depth knowledge of all areas of law relevant to the use of AI - from GDPR and contract design to product liability. At the same time, we have technical understanding and act as an interface between specialist departments, data protection officers and technical teams.

Our interdisciplinary expertise enables us to implement legal requirements in a practical and economically viable manner.

Our services as an external AI officer

As an external AI officer, we take on central AI compliance tasks and support you in the introduction, use and documentation of AI systems in your company:

  • Identification and classification of deployed AI systems
  • Examination of transparency, safety and monitoring obligations
  • Creation and maintenance of technical documentation in accordance with the AI Regulation
  • Implementation of legal requirements for high-risk AI
  • Support with the implementation of specific AI projects
  • Conducting internal training and sensitising all parties involved
  • Communication with supervisory authorities, preparation and support during AI audits

With legal expertise, technical know-how and practical experience, we provide you with reliable support in all matters relating to the legally compliant use of artificial intelligence in your company.

Would you like to appoint an external AI officer and organise your AI projects in a legally compliant, economical and future-proof manner?

Contact us now for a non-binding initial consultation - our specialised lawyers will provide you with comprehensive advice on the subject of external AI officers, high-risk AI, AI compliance and the AI Regulation.

RA Norbert Geyer

Your partner

Lawyer Norbert Geyer

Certified Specialist in IT law
Data protection officer
AI coordinator (TÜV Rheinland)
AI officer (TÜV Rheinland)
Partner

Norbert.Geyer@rdp-law.de
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FAQ – External AI officer for companies

An external AI officer is a specialised expert – usually a solicitor focusing on IT law and data protection – who supports companies in the legally compliant introduction and use of AI systems. The aim is to ensure the legally compliant use of AI in accordance with the provisions of the AI Regulation (AI-VO), GDPR and other regulatory requirements.

The AI Regulation does not expressly require the appointment of an AI officer. However, companies are obliged to comply with extensive compliance, documentation and monitoring obligations – especially in the case of high-risk AI. The appointment of an external AI officer is therefore an effective tool for ensuring legal compliance and minimising risk.

It makes sense to appoint an external AI officer at the latest when AI systems are used in regulated or sensitive areas – such as human resources, medical technology, the financial sector or public administration. Specialised legal support is particularly recommended for high-risk AI under the AI Regulation.

An external AI officer identifies and classifies AI systems, checks regulatory requirements under the AI Regulation and GDPR, provides legal support for AI projects, creates or reviews technical documentation, assists with AI audits and acts as a contact person for supervisory authorities.

High-risk AI includes AI systems that can have a significant impact on fundamental rights, security or economic participation. These include, for example, AI applications in HR, creditworthiness checks or security-relevant infrastructures. High-risk AI is subject to strict requirements in terms of risk management, transparency, human oversight and documentation.

In the context of AI compliance, the external AI officer ensures the implementation of legal requirements from the AI Regulation, GDPR, IT law, labour law and product liability. This includes risk analyses, governance structures, internal guidelines, training and continuous monitoring of the AI systems used.

An external AI officer brings independent expertise, up-to-date regulatory knowledge and practical experience from various industries. Companies benefit from objective risk assessment, a high level of legal certainty and a clear liability structure – without having to commit their own resources in the long term.

As soon as AI systems process personal data, the requirements of the GDPR must be observed. An external AI officer reviews legal bases, data protection impact assessments, privacy-by-design concepts and contracts with service providers, thus ensuring that AI is used in compliance with data protection regulations.

An AI audit involves the legal and organisational review of AI systems in use. Among other things, risk classification, technical documentation, transparency obligations, human oversight, security measures and compliance structures are reviewed. The external AI officer also prepares companies for regulatory audits.

An external AI officer is relevant for all companies that develop, purchase or use AI systems. Organisations in regulated industries and companies that use high-risk AI within the meaning of the AI Regulation are particularly affected.

Through continuous legal support, monitoring of regulatory developments and adaptation of internal processes, the external AI officer ensures that the use of AI remains legally compliant, economically viable and trustworthy in the long term.

Lack of or insufficient AI compliance can lead to substantial fines under the AI Regulation and GDPR, claims for damages and reputational damage. An external AI officer helps to identify and minimise these risks at an early stage.