Latvia weighs changes to Artificial Intelligence Centre

Latvia is considering structural changes at its Artificial Intelligence Centre after criticism that it lacks the capacity to carry out its work, LSM reported. “The centre’s capacity is absolutely not up to the task at the moment,” Tavars said.

The centre was established in April 2025, but when it began operating is unclear. Its first director, Natālija Čerņecka, was appointed in October 2025 and worked for four months. She and the centre’s board had different views on the organisation’s direction. Guna Puce then took over as director and has not yet been in the role for a year.

The article highlights medical AI as one area raising practical and regulatory questions. At Paula Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, radiologists use Sinapse, an AI tool developed by the company Apply. Hospital radiologist and professor Kārlis Kupčs and doctor Andris Veiss created it as part of a research project.

Sinapse can process CT images within seconds and help prioritise patients who need a doctor’s attention most urgently. This can be important in cases of stroke, when early signs may be difficult for even experienced radiologists to detect. The tool is currently used for research at Paula Stradiņš hospital and is also used at Eastern Hospital and Vidzeme Hospital.

The technology also raises questions about access to patient data, where it is stored and how it can be anonymised. Kupčs said a CT scan of the brain can be used to reconstruct a patient’s face and facial features, even without their personal identity code or name.

To commercialise the technology more widely, including outside Latvia, it needs a CE certificate confirming the device’s safety. The article says this certification cannot be obtained in Latvia and that no one there can advise on how to secure it.