The transparency imperative: The need for model documentation for engaging with public policy following the EU AI Act

Conference paper, Annual Modeling and Simulation Conference (ANNSIM'25) Abstract The application of Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) has few established guidelines and oftensuffers from insuffdifferent types of model documentation in light of the European Union’s AI Act (AI Act). Our analysisreveals that best practices are often implemented together but ultimately reinforce the pre-existing viewthat ABMS frequently lacks adequate model documentation. This deficiency hinders evaluability, makingit 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 theattributes 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 developingand establishing guidelines, we can stay ahead of emerging legal requirements.

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