Case: The First University of St. Gallen Grand Challenge – The EU AI Act 2023
Organized by the team of Professor Dr. Thomas Burri, Law School of the University of St. Gallen
In July 2023, the University of St. Gallen hosted a landmark international event: The First Grand Challenge on the EU AI Act, bringing together eleven expert teams from across the world to assess real-life AI applications against the emerging provisions of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act. This high-level compliance simulation was the first of its kind, attracting over 100 participants and extensive national and international media coverage, including by SRF Tagesschau and Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
The event drew major industry partners, including Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Deutsche Telekom AG, and the Swiss Drones and Robotics Centre (SDRC) of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence. SDRC also co-hosted a preparatory “Boot Camp” and provided institutional support through a targeted research grant.
The Challenge concluded with two winning teams sharing the 100,000 CHF prize, selected by a high-level jury. More than a competition, the event served as a policy-testing ground, helping industry, regulators, and academia evaluate the practical implementation of AI governance frameworks under real-world conditions.