Definition
The AI Act entered into force on 1 August 2024 and applies in stages. Bans on prohibited practices and the AI literacy provision applied from 2 February 2025, and obligations for providers of general-purpose AI models from 2 August 2025. The Digital Omnibus on AI, in force since 27 July 2026, moved the main high-risk deadlines: 2 December 2027 for standalone high-risk systems (Annex III, such as hiring and credit scoring) and 2 August 2028 for AI built into products already covered by EU safety law (Annex I).
The law sorts AI by risk: unacceptable (banned), high risk (strict requirements on data, documentation, human oversight, accuracy and conformity assessment), limited risk (transparency duties, such as telling people they are dealing with AI or marking AI-generated content) and minimal risk. It applies to providers and deployers, including companies outside the EU whose AI is used in it.