EU AI Act enters into force today



A world-first comprehensive AI law, the EU AI Act enters into force on 1 August. Most of its provisions will become effective from 2 August 2026.

Importantly, the ban on certain type of AI systems that present the highest risk applies from 2 February 2025. These include, for example, AI systems that conduct untargeted scraping of facial images to create databases.

On the same date, the provisions on AI literacy also become applicable. This means that organisations will have to ensure that their staff have a sufficient level of AI literacy when using AI systems on their behalf.

Codes of practice will need to be ready by 2 May 2025. The European Commission will need to adopt Implementing Acts by 2 February 2026, and issue guidelines on the practical implementation of rules regarding the classification of an AI system as high risk.

The Act has extraterritorial reach but does not apply to individuals using AI for personal purposes. Penalties for non-compliance go up to €35 million or 7% of global revenue.

See the EU AI Act

Read an analysis of the Brussels Effects of this Act by Graham Greenleaf, Asia-Pacific Editor, in PL&B International Report, August 2024.This issue also feature articles on Training of AI models and AI and privacy – implications are felt far and wide.