EU AI Act Regulation
European Union
2024
Consumer Protection
Overview
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) is the European Union’s first comprehensive legal framework for regulating artificial intelligence. Adopted in 2024 and set to be enforced by 2026, the regulation aims to ensure that AI systems placed on the EU market are safe, ethical, and respect fundamental rights.The AI Act classifies AI systems into risk categories prohibited, high-risk, limited-risk, and minimal-risk and applies proportionate obligations accordingly. It primarily impacts technology providers, financial institutions, biometric solution providers, public authorities, and businesses deploying AI systems in high-risk domains such as credit scoring, hiring, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure.
Key Obligations
- Perform conformity assessments for high-risk AI systems before deployment
- Register high-risk AI systems in the EU database
- Ensure human oversight, transparency, and explainability in AI operations
- Maintain technical documentation and logging for auditability
- Prohibit use of certain AI systems that pose unacceptable risk (e.g., social scoring)
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Related Regulations
FAQ
Who must comply with the EU AI Act?
AI system providers, users, and importers operating in or targeting the EU market must comply based on their risk classification.
What are high-risk AI use cases under the AI Act?
Examples include AI used in recruitment, credit scoring, border control, healthcare diagnostics, and public services.
Is facial recognition allowed under the AI Act?
Facial recognition is heavily restricted, especially for real-time use in public spaces, and is subject to strict legal safeguards.
When will enforcement of the AI Act begin??
Full enforcement is expected by 2026, with staggered implementation based on risk levels and system categories.