The EU AI Act comes into force today although not all the provisions will become enforceable straight away.
The Act sets out comprehensive rules for AI applications, including a risk-based system to address potential threats to health and safety, and human rights. It will ban certain AI applications that pose an “unacceptable risk,” including real-time and remote biometric identification systems such as facial recognition. Additionally, it will impose strict obligations on those considered “high risk,” encompassing AI used in
EU-regulated product safety categories, for example, cars and medical devices.
These obligations include adherence to data governance standards, transparency rules, and the incorporation of human oversight mechanisms.
Detailed guides have been produced by lawyers Stephenson Harwood and Bird and Bird.
Here are the key dates for your diary:
- August 1st, 2024: The AI Act enters into force
- February 2025: Chapters I (general provisions) & II (prohibited AI systems) will apply
- August 2025: Chapter III Section 4 (notifying authorities), Chapter V (general purpose AI models), Chapter VII (governance), Chapter XII (confidentiality and penalties), and Article 78 (confidentiality) will apply, except for Article 101 (fines for General Purpose AI providers)
- August 2026: the whole AI Act applies, except for Article 6(1) & corresponding obligations (one of the categories of high-risk AI systems)
- August 2027 – Article 6(1) & corresponding obligations apply.
In the UK, despite media reports, the King’s Speech did not include a bill to regulate AI. The King said that the government would “seek to establish the appropriate legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence models”. Expect a government consultation to be announced soon.
Our AI Act workshop will help you understand the new law in detail and its interaction with the UK’s objectives and strategy for AI regulation.
