Austria

Austria has set up an AI Service Office (KI-Servicestelle) at the RTR (Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH), serving as a national competence and information centre for AI (legal basis includes KommAustria-Gesetz §20c, TKG 2021 §194a).

• The AI Service Office supports authorities, businesses and civil society in implementing the AI Act.
• The government plans to expand it into a full market surveillance authority with extended powers.
• At least one AI regulatory sandbox must be established by 2 August 2026 (Art. 57).

Status

The final authority architecture (full market surveillance) is still being built (as of June 2026).

BAUER GROUP Relevance

When placing AI systems on the Austrian market, the RTR's AI Service Office is the central point of contact; the full market surveillance authority is currently being established.