We are pleased to share that DCN member Nicola Palladino (University of Salerno) has contributed a chapter to the newly published volume The Quest for AI Sovereignty, Transparency and Accountability – Official Outcome of the UN IGF Data and Artificial Intelligence Governance Coalition (Springer, 2025), edited by Luca Belli and Walter B. Gaspar. The edited volume brings together international experts, including contributions addressing Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Nicola’s chapter, titled “The Blind Watcher: Accountability Mechanisms in the Artificial Intelligence Act”, examines the accountability architecture of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA). The contribution analyses how the AIA conceptualises and operationalises accountability, distinguishing between internal and external mechanisms and assessing the regulation’s risk-based approach, particularly with regard to high-risk AI systems. The chapter situates the AIA within broader debates on AI sovereignty, transparency, and regulatory design, while critically reflecting on potential limitations, including the scope of accountability requirements and the role of conformity assessments. In doing so, it contributes to ongoing discussions on the future of AI governance and the EU’s role as a regulatory actor in the global digital order.