What is The AI Act?

The EU AI Act is the world's first comprehensive legal framework for AI, designed to regulate its development, marketing, and use within the EU. It aims to ensure AI systems are safe, respect fundamental rights, and create trustworthy AI. The Act introduces risk-based rules for AI providers and users, addressing concerns like transparency, accountability, and potential biases. It applies not only to entities within the EU but also to those outside the EU if their AI systems are used in the region. 

The AI Act officially came into force on 1st August 2024 and will be fully applicable by 2nd August 2026, with a phased implementation. Certain prohibitions and AI literacy obligations take effect from 2nd February 2025, while governance rules and requirements for general-purpose AI models apply from 2nd August 2025. 

High-risk AI systems embedded in regulated products have an extended transition period until 2nd August 2027. To oversee enforcement, the European AI Office, established in February 2024, ensures compliance across EU Member States and supervises the most advanced AI models.