AI Vocabulary · 08 Rules & Responsibility

What is EU AI Act?

The EU's law for AI, sorting uses by risk and setting duties for those who build and deploy AI.

Basic

The EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) is the first comprehensive AI law of a major economy. It entered into force in August 2024 and applies in stages. It also reaches companies outside the EU whose AI is used in the EU.

Its core idea is risk-based. A few practices are banned outright, such as social scoring or manipulative techniques that cause harm. High-risk AI, for example in hiring, education or credit decisions, faces strict requirements. Systems like chatbots and generated content carry transparency duties. Most everyday uses, like drafting text or summarising documents, face few specific obligations.

Some duties already apply to almost everyone who uses AI at work, most notably AI literacy, in force since February 2025. Timelines for several other rules were adjusted in 2026, so check the current dates for your case.

Why it matters for you

Even as a small company that only uses AI tools, you are a "deployer" under the Act. Know which risk category your uses fall into, and take the basic steps: an overview of the AI you use, staff training and clear rules.

Own it

Understanding the rules yourself means you don't have to rely on fear-driven sales pitches. Most of what the Act asks for, such as knowing your tools, keeping humans in charge and being honest about AI, is also simply good practice. This entry is an overview, not legal advice.

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