Homo Digitalis meets with the National Commissioner for Human Rights (NCHR)
The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) welcomed the NGO Homo Digitalis to its offices on May 13, 2025, for a meeting focused on digital rights and artificial intelligence.
Among other topics, the discussion covered recent developments in the field of emerging technologies, the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and its implementation, as well as the role of the GNCHR under the Regulation, following its designation as one of the authorities referred to in Article 77 (Powers of Fundamental Rights Monitoring Authorities).
Participants in the meeting included Professor Maria Gavouneli, President of the GNCHR, Elli Varchalama, Second Vice-President of the GNCHR, Dr. Christos Tsevas, Special Scientist, Eleftherios Chelioudakis, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Homo Digitalis and Lambrini Gyftokosta, Director of Human Rights & Artificial Intelligence at Homo Digitalis.
Article 77 of the AI Act: 6 months after the designation of the Fundamental Rights Authorities
On the first official deadline set by the Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AI Act), it required member states to appoint one or more authorities in accordance with Article 77 for the protection of fundamental rights by November 2, 2024.
Today, May 2, 2025 — six months after the deadline — 25 out of the 27 European countries have appointed a total of 210 authorities, a number that seems staggering and at the same time sends a strong message about how seriously these countries take the issue of fundamental rights. But does it reflect reality?
With this brief study, we aim to provide answers to the following questions:
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What is the purpose of Article 77 of the AI Regulation?
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Which authorities have been appointed by the member states to date?
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What powers does the AI Regulation actually grant to these regulatory authorities, and what obligations arise from Article 78 of the AI Regulation regarding the confidentiality of information?
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Who are the four national authorities that have taken on this role, what are their existing and new powers under the AI Regulation?
Through a case study, our Director on Fundamental Rights and AI, Lamprini Gyftokosta, attempts to explore how these authorities will cooperate, while also raising some questions that will undoubtedly concern us over time.
You can read our study here (EL).