Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

The Transparency Imperative : The Need for Model Documentation for Engaging with Public Policy following the EU AI Act

Belfrage, Michael ; Franzt, Christopher ; Lorig, Fabian ; Tucker, Jason Edward LU and Davidsson, Paul (2025)
Abstract
The application of Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) has few established guidelines and often suffers from insufficient model documentation. We assess the prevalence of best practices associated with different types of model documentation in light of the European Union’s AI Act (AI Act). Our analysis reveals that best practices are often implemented together but ultimately reinforce the pre-existing view that ABMS frequently lacks adequate model documentation. This deficiency hinders evaluability, making it difficult to conduct quality assurance prior to application and meaningful evaluation post application. We propose a framework that highlights the importance of different types of model documentation and the attributes they... (More)
The application of Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) has few established guidelines and often suffers from insufficient model documentation. We assess the prevalence of best practices associated with different types of model documentation in light of the European Union’s AI Act (AI Act). Our analysis reveals that best practices are often implemented together but ultimately reinforce the pre-existing view that ABMS frequently lacks adequate model documentation. This deficiency hinders evaluability, making it difficult to conduct quality assurance prior to application and meaningful evaluation post application. We propose a framework that highlights the importance of different types of model documentation and the attributes they enable, which are valuable to both modelers and policy actors, albeit for different reasons. The AI Act provides a valuable opportunity to improve model documentation. By proactively developing and establishing guidelines, we can stay ahead of emerging legal requirements.
(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Documentation, EU AI Act, Policy-modeling, Transparency, Responsible ABMS
pages
13 pages
project
Politics of AI & Health: From Snake Oil to Social Good - Funded by Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanity and Society (WASP-HS)
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e7b6939f-28fa-4e8b-acc5-3d7af803714a
date added to LUP
2025-06-04 14:01:30
date last changed
2025-06-10 09:41:22
@misc{e7b6939f-28fa-4e8b-acc5-3d7af803714a,
  abstract     = {{The application of Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) has few established guidelines and often suffers from insufficient model documentation. We assess the prevalence of best practices associated with different types of model documentation in light of the European Union’s AI Act (AI Act). Our analysis reveals that best practices are often implemented together but ultimately reinforce the pre-existing view that ABMS frequently lacks adequate model documentation. This deficiency hinders evaluability, making it difficult to conduct quality assurance prior to application and meaningful evaluation post application. We propose a framework that highlights the importance of different types of model documentation and the   attributes they enable, which are valuable to both modelers and policy actors, albeit for different reasons. The AI Act provides a valuable opportunity to improve model documentation. By proactively developing and establishing guidelines, we can stay ahead of emerging legal requirements.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Belfrage, Michael and Franzt, Christopher and Lorig, Fabian and Tucker, Jason Edward and Davidsson, Paul}},
  keywords     = {{Documentation; EU AI Act; Policy-modeling; Transparency; Responsible ABMS}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  title        = {{The Transparency Imperative : The Need for Model Documentation for Engaging with Public Policy following the EU AI Act}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/221082836/The_Transparency_Imperative_The_Need_for_Model_Documentation_for_Engaging_with_Public_Policy_following_the_EU_AI_Act.pdf}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}