On Thursday, 1 August 2024, the European Commission announced that the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) has entered into force. The EU AI Act aims to establish a "harmonised internal market" for artificial intelligence (AI) in the EU that is "trustworthy, with safeguards to protect people's fundamental rights."
The Commission confirmed that member states have until 2 August 2025 to designate national competent authorities to oversee the application of the AI Act and carry out market surveillance activities. Meanwhile, the AI Office will monitor the implementation and enforcement of the AI Act at the EU level.
The Act will become applicable in four stages depending on the type of AI system. These include:
- 2 February 2025: prohibited AI systems and obligations related to AI literacy will become applicable
- 2 August 2025: general-purpose AI model obligations will become applicable
- 2 August 2026: most obligations under the AI Act will become applicable, including rules for high-risk AI systems listed in Annex III, which address systems dealing with biometrics, critical infrastructure, education, employment, access to essential public services, law enforcement, immigration and administration of justice.
- 2 August 2027: obligations concerning high-risk systems included in Annex I of the AI Act will become applicable.
The Commission published an FAQ document; alternatively, the full AI Act legislation is available here.
Welcoming the development, European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) Wojciech Wiewiórowski shared a video.
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