Trending

Data Protection and AI Governance, Operationalized

Sia helped a major European financial institution strengthen data protection and AI governance by developing risk tools, documenting use cases and structuring governance processes for more secure and compliant AI initiatives.

May 19, 2026

Context

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into financial services, organizations must ensure that AI initiatives comply with data protection regulations and internal governance policies. In Europe, the EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) entered into force on 1 August 2024 and phases in its obligations: rules on prohibited AI practices have applied since February 2025 and obligations for general-purpose AI models since August 2025.

In this context, a major European financial institution, acting under its group's AI compliance policy, sought to strengthen personal data protection and establish a structured AI governance framework, ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements while maintaining operational efficiency.

Client Challenge

The institution's Global Data Protection Officer needed support to:

Enhance the protection of personal data.
Set up governance for AI projects.
Ensure regulatory compliance.
Monitor privacy and AI initiatives, with accountability across teams and third parties.

What Sia Did

Sia supported the institution's Global Data Protection Officer on both personal data protection and AI governance:

Personal data protection: assistance with third-party management, individual rights requests, privacy documentation updates and contractual reviews.
AI governance: preparation of the AI Use Case Risk Committee, creation of risk assessment tools, documentation of AI use cases, and training of employees on AI tools.
Risk analysis and AI diagnostics: expertise in managing personal data protection, risk analysis and AI diagnostics.

Results & Outlook

The engagement gave the institution practical tools for personal data protection and for AI governance: documented AI use cases, risk assessment tools, a prepared AI Use Case Risk Committee, updated privacy documentation and trained employees.

By combining regulatory knowledge, practical governance tools and hands-on expertise, Sia helps financial institutions build secure, compliant and responsible approaches to data and AI.