- AI Act officially published, coming into force on 1 August 2024
- Full applicability for most provisions by mid-2026
- Phased implementation with various deadlines between 2025 and 2027
- Risk-based approach: banned, high-risk, and low-risk AI applications
- Transparency requirements for general purpose AI models
- Concerns raised about industry influence on upcoming codes of practice
The European Union has taken a significant step forward in regulating artificial intelligence with the publication of its landmark AI Act in the Official Journal. This comprehensive legislation, set to come into force on 1 August 2024, introduces a risk-based approach to AI regulation that will reshape the landscape for AI developers and users across the bloc.
Read more: Full text of the EU AI Act
The AI Act establishes a tiered system of regulation based on the perceived risks associated with different AI applications. While most AI uses will remain unregulated due to their low-risk nature, the law imposes strict controls on high-risk applications and outright bans on certain AI practices deemed unacceptable.
Key deadlines in the phased implementation include:
- Early 2025: Prohibited uses of AI become illegal, including social credit scoring and indiscriminate facial recognition databases.
- April 2025 (approximate): Codes of practice for in-scope AI applications take effect.
- 1 August 2025: Transparency requirements for general purpose AI models begin.
- Mid-2026: Most high-risk AI systems must comply with the new regulations.
- 2027: Extended compliance deadline for a subset of high-risk AI systems.
The law’s approach to general purpose AI models, such as those underlying chatbots like ChatGPT, has been a point of contention. Transparency requirements will apply to these models, with the most powerful potentially facing systemic risk assessments. This aspect of the legislation was shaped by intense lobbying from industry players and some EU member states concerned about maintaining competitiveness in AI development.
As the implementation process begins, questions arise about who will draft the crucial codes of practice. Reports suggest that the EU is seeking consultancy firms for this task, prompting concerns from civil society about potential industry influence on the rules.
