The government being prepared by Luca Niculescu could include a Ministry of Communications and Artificial Intelligence

The government being prepared by designated Prime Minister Luca Niculescu could include, for the first time in Romania, a Ministry of Communications and Artificial Intelligence. The portfolio would be part of an Executive with 17 ministries, built around the PSD, and could be headed by a technocrat acceptable to President Nicușor Dan.

The name would be a first for the central administration, which has previously had ministries dedicated to communications, information technology and digitalization, but no portfolio that explicitly included artificial intelligence. The Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization was disbanded at the end of 2024, and its responsibilities were divided between the Ministry of Economy and the National Authority for Research.

The responsibilities of the new ministry have not yet been established. The institution could coordinate national policy in communications, the digitalization of the administration, the strategy for using artificial intelligence in the public sector and support for the relevant industry. It could also manage relations with European rules and the Authority for the Digitalization of Romania.

The creation of the portfolio comes as the European AI Act regulation is being implemented, imposing rules based on the risks posed by artificial intelligence systems. Romania must designate competent authorities and establish oversight mechanisms. Discussions on the structure of the Government are ongoing, while the ministry’s final form and responsibilities are yet to be determined.