Posted: 11th August 2026

Professor Alessandro Abate has been appointed Lead Scientific Adviser to the European Commission’s AI Office, as the European Union begins enforcing key provisions of its AI Act.

The AI Office plays a central role in implementing and enforcing the EU’s regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, including oversight of general-purpose AI models. Its work aims to support the development and use of trustworthy AI while addressing potential risks posed by increasingly capable systems.

In his new role, Professor Abate will support the AI Office’s scientific assessment of general-purpose AI models, alongside its work on AI innovation, testing and model evaluation.

Professor Abate is Professor of Verification and Control in the department. His research focuses on the verification and control of stochastic systems, with applications including autonomous systems and artificial intelligence.

His appointment will contribute Oxford expertise to the scientific and technical work underpinning the implementation of one of the world’s most significant regulatory frameworks for AI.