What it means
The EU AI Act is the European Union's regulation on artificial intelligence, which sets rules for AI systems based on their level of risk. It bans certain practices, sets strict requirements for high-risk systems, requires transparency for some uses such as chatbots and AI-generated content, and sets obligations for providers of general-purpose AI models.
Real-world example
A public employment service plans to use AI to help prioritise job seekers for training programmes. Because AI used for access to essential public services and in employment contexts can fall under the Act's high-risk categories, the service plans for requirements such as risk management, data quality, documentation, human oversight and, as a public body deploying such a system, a fundamental rights impact assessment.
Why it matters for AI adoption
The AI Act applies to organisations that develop AI and to those that use it, including public bodies. Obligations depend on the system's role and risk category, and they apply in stages. The 2026 AI Omnibus amendment (Regulation (EU) 2026/1744) moved the application dates for many high-risk obligations, to 2 December 2027 for stand-alone high-risk systems and 2 August 2028 for AI in regulated products, while other obligations continue to apply. Dates and guidance continue to evolve, so check current sources and take legal advice for specific cases.
Questions to ask
- Which risk category does our use case fall into, and are we a provider or a deployer?
- Which obligations apply to us, from when, and who is responsible for meeting them?