What is the EU Artificial Intelligence Act?

The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) is the world’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. It is designed to ensure that AI is used responsibly, without unnecessarily hindering innovation.

The AI Act is primarily aimed at companies and organisations that develop, place on the market or use AI systems. Its core principle is a risk-based approach: Not all AI is regulated in the same way; instead, the requirements depend on the potential impact of an AI system on safety, health or fundamental rights.

The AI Act does not regulate whether artificial intelligence may be used, but rather under what conditions its use is permitted for specific applications. For most everyday AI applications, there are few or no additional requirements, whilst stricter requirements apply to high-risk applications.