The AI Act will be implemented in stages, laws for general-purpose AI models will come into effect in 12 months, while regulations for AI systems integrated into regulated products will be enforced in 36 months
Europe has introduced a groundbreaking set of artificial intelligence (AI) regulations set to take effect next month. These new rules, known as the AI Act, will impose strict controls on high-risk AI systems, while general-purpose AI models will face lighter requirements.
The European Union (EU) has opted for a more comprehensive approach compared to the United States, which favors voluntary compliance, and China, which focuses on maintaining social stability and state control.
Patrick van Eecke, a lawyer at Cooley, highlighted the global implications of the new legislation. “The Act will have global reach. Companies outside the EU that use EU customer data in their AI platforms will need to comply. Other countries and regions are likely to use the AI Act as a blueprint, just as they did with the GDPR,” he explained, referring to the EU’s previous privacy regulations.
The AI Act will be implemented in stages. Laws for general-purpose AI models will come into effect in 12 months, while regulations for AI systems integrated into regulated products will be enforced in 36 months. Penalties for non-compliance range from 7.5 million euros to 35 million euros, depending on the severity of the violation.
Belgian Digitisation Minister Mathieu Michel emphasised the law’s balanced approach. “This landmark law, the first of its kind in the world, addresses a global technological challenge that also creates opportunities for our societies and economies,” he said. “With the AI Act, Europe emphasizes the importance of trust, transparency, and accountability when dealing with new technologies while at the same time ensuring this fast-changing technology can flourish and boost European innovation.”
The new regulations aim to set a standard for AI usage in business and daily life, with significant implications for companies worldwide.
