Ombudswoman Anjinho has asked the European Commission to further strengthen accountability and transparency in the use of AI by external experts evaluating applications for EU funding programmes.

The Ombudswoman recognised the recent update to the Commission’s Code of Conduct for evaluators, which now specifies that AI should be used for ancillary tasks only and documented, as an improvement but noted that it needed to go further.

She asked the Commission to explore more detailed recording by evaluators, including whether AI was used, for what purpose, and what its specific contribution was. To ensure better oversight, this information should be proactively provided alongside the evaluators’ reviews to the relevant EU funding bodies.

The Ombudswoman’s suggestion followed a complaint by a company whose application for a grant was refused. The complainant contested the outcome, arguing that the evaluation was carried out by AI.

The Ombudswoman found that the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) gave clear and reasonable explanations in response to the complainant’s arguments, including that the limited use of AI in evaluating the complainant’s proposal was acceptable. 

However, the Ombudswoman decided that it was important to inquire into the overall use of AI by experts who advise the Commission, EISMEA, and other agencies. She asked the Commission for information on this matter as it supervises EU funding programmes and sets the rules for external experts.

The inquiry noted that the current situation where relevant experts are asked for documentation of their AI use only in response to a specific complaint may not be sufficiently reliable.

The Ombudswoman has asked the Commission to reply to her findings by the end of April 2027, outlining any actions it has taken in response to her suggestion.

Background

The European Innovation Council’s ‘Accelerator’ programme is a funding programme under Horizon Europe that offers support to start-ups and SMEs.

The complainant applied for funds under this programme in 2023 and their application was refused in 2024. Dissatisfied with EISMEA’s replies to their complaints, the complainant turned to the Ombudsman Office in October 2025.