Art.67
EU AI Act Guide › Chapter VII — Governance › Article 67

Article 67 – Advisory Forum

Governance SME Relevant ~2 min read · 425 words

Article 67 establishes the Advisory Forum — a multi-stakeholder body that advises the AI Board and the Commission on AI matters. Unlike the Board which is composed of national government representatives, the Advisory Forum brings in voices from industry, startups, SMEs, civil society and academia, ensuring that the governance architecture includes perspectives beyond national regulators.

✓ Low compliance impact for SMEs

WHAT THE ARTICLE IS ABOUT

The stakeholder voice in EU AI governance

Article 67 creates the Advisory Forum — a body providing technical expertise and stakeholder perspectives to the AI Board and the Commission. It is the formal channel through which industry, civil society and academia can contribute to how the Act is implemented, interpreted and evolved over time.

WHAT IT SAYS

Balanced stakeholder membership, two-year terms, public reporting

  • An advisory forum is established to provide technical expertise and advise the Board and the Commission, contributing to their tasks under the Act
  • Membership must represent a balanced selection of stakeholders including industry, startups, SMEs, civil society and academia
  • The membership must be balanced between commercial and non-commercial interests, and within commercial interests between SMEs and larger undertakings
  • The Commission appoints members based on recognised expertise in AI
  • Terms of office are two years, renewable for up to four years total
  • The Fundamental Rights Agency, ENISA, CEN, CENELEC and ETSI are permanent members
  • The forum adopts its own rules of procedure, elects two co-chairs, and meets at least twice a year
  • It may prepare opinions, recommendations and written contributions, and may establish sub-groups
  • An annual report on its activities is made publicly available

WHO IS AFFECTED

Industry experts, civil society, academia and SME representatives

  • AI companies, industry associations and individual experts seeking to influence implementation
  • Civil society organisations and fundamental rights bodies
  • Academic AI researchers and institutions
  • SME representatives — the Act explicitly requires SME voices to be included in the balance
  • Standardisation bodies CEN, CENELEC and ETSI as permanent members

WHAT IT MEANS FOR SMES

Your sector’s voice can reach EU governance through this channel

  • The explicit requirement for SME representation in the Advisory Forum is significant — it means the governance body that advises on implementation must include small business perspectives, not just large industry players
  • Industry associations representing SMEs in AI are the most practical route to influence Advisory Forum positions — engagement with your national AI or tech association is the starting point
  • The Forum’s opinions and annual reports are publicly available — read them to understand what issues are being raised at EU governance level and where the regulatory debate is heading
  • The Forum’s sub-groups on specific topics are worth monitoring — they often focus on implementation questions that directly affect compliance practice

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