Global Sandboxes Forum: Insights Session Report

The first Global Sandboxes Forum (GSF) Insights Session Report introduces the Sandbox Assessment Framework (SAF), developed by the Datasphere Initiative to strengthen the design and implementation of sandboxes as tools for innovation and governance. In a rapidly changing technological and policy landscape, the report highlights how the SAF can help policymakers, regulators, and innovators assess readiness, anticipate challenges, and ensure sandboxes achieve inclusive and impactful outcomes.

This first edition focuses on the pre-implementation stage of sandboxing, guiding teams in evaluating conditions before launching an initiative. It raises critical questions around legitimacy, resources, and stakeholder engagement, while providing strategies to foster transparency, equity, and effectiveness.

The report draws on contributions from global experts, including:

• Alany Reyes Pichardo, Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (Dutch DPA)

• Prof. Antonino Rotolo, EU Regulatory Sandboxes for AI (EUSAiR)

• Ahmad Rizal Azwir, National Technology and Innovation Sandbox, Malaysia

• Keith Sabilika, Financial Sector Conduct Authority, South Africa

• Dr. Abigail Gilbert, Institute for the Future of Work, UK

• Eliza Lemos, Attorney General’s Office of Brazil

• Lee Chein Inn, Infocomm Media Development Authority, Singapore

• David Benhamou, National Commission for Data Protection, Luxembourg

Together with practitioners from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector, these experts share real-world lessons from diverse sandbox applications — spanning AI, fintech, health, and digital public infrastructure.