CISPA Researcher Mario Fritz Joins EU AI Office Scientific Panel
Mario Fritz, a faculty member at the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, has been appointed to the Scientific Panel of the EU AI Office. The panel will advise on implementation and enforcement of the EU AI Act.
Fritz is one of three German AI experts selected for the 60-person panel, which drew applicants from over 1,000 qualified candidates. Former CISPA researcher Sahar Abdelnabi, who completed her doctoral work under Fritz's supervision, also received an appointment.
Panel Responsibilities
The Scientific Panel will focus primarily on general-purpose AI models. Members will alert the EU AI Office to systemic risks, recommend methodologies for classifying and evaluating these models, and support national market surveillance authorities.
The panel operates alongside the Advisory Forum, both newly established by the European Commission. Members serve two-year terms in a personal capacity and may be reappointed.
Fritz's Research Focus
Fritz coordinates the EU-funded network ELSA - European Lighthouse on Secure and Safe AI. His research centers on trustworthy artificial intelligence, particularly where information security and machine learning intersect.
On his appointment, Fritz said: "AI has proven its ability to detect cyber incidents in real time and identify vulnerabilities at scale. At the same time, its offensive capabilities are steadily increasing. We must allow beneficial AI capabilities while containing those that carry risks."
Fritz previously led a research group at the Max Planck Institute for Computer Science and held postdoctoral positions at UC Berkeley and the International Computer Science Institute. He holds a PhD from TU Darmstadt and is an honorary professor at Saarland University.
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