Unacceptable Risk

For example, AI systems that allow “social scoring” by governments or companies are considered a clear threat to people's fundamental rights and are therefore banned.

High Risk

High-risk AI systems such as AI-based medical software or AI systems used for recruitment must comply with strict requirements, including risk-mitigation systems, high-quality data sets, clear user information, human oversight, etc.

Limited Risk

Systems like chatbots must clearly inform users that they are interacting with a machine, while certain AI-generated content must be labelled as such.

Minimal Risk

Most AI systems such as spam filters and AI-enabled video games face no obligation under the AI Act, but companies can voluntarily adopt additional codes of conduct.

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AI Act

The AI Act

The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) is the world’s first comprehensive regulation designed to regulate artificial intelligence across the European Union. It establishes a risk-based framework to ensure that AI systems are safe, transparent, and aligned with fundamental rights and European values. 

The Act sets out clear obligations for all those involved in the AI lifecycle, from developers and providers to users, importers, and distributors, and introduces a four-level risk classification

Unacceptable

High

Limited

Minimal risk

Unacceptable-risk AI systems, such as those that manipulate human behavior or enable social scoring, are strictly prohibited. High-risk AI applications, including those used in education, healthcare, employment, and critical infrastructure, are subject to robust requirements for transparency, oversight, and data quality.

Purpose

The EU AI Act aims to:

  • Ensure that AI systems are safe, ethical, and respect human rights

  • Provide legal clarity and uniform standards for organizations developing or using AI in the EU

  • Foster trust and innovation, allowing AI to flourish responsibly

  • Protect individuals and society from harmful, biased, or discriminatory AI practices

Scope

The Act applies broadly across the AI ecosystem, covering:

  • Providers, deployers, importers, and distributors of AI systems within the EU

  • AI used in products, services, and public administration, including key sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, transportation, and law enforcement

  • AI systems offered by organizations outside the EU, if the systems are used or have an effect within the EU single market

Why It Matters

The EU AI Act marks a historic step toward responsible and human-centric AI governance. By balancing innovation with accountability, it positions the European Union as a global leader in shaping ethical AI standards, ensuring that the technology serves people, not the other way around.

Framework

Framework

The pioneering regulatory approach to AI, based on a risk-based framework of the AI Act. This framework classifies AI systems into four categories of risk, structured like a pyramid: the higher the risk, the stricter the regulation. At the top of the pyramid are AI systems that pose an unacceptable risk to people's rights and safety. Those are banned entirely under the AI Act, with limited exceptions.

Legal Documents

Legal Documents

This section provides direct access to all official legal documents related to the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). Here, you will find the full text of the regulation, legislative proposals, amendments, impact assessments, and related guidance issued by EU institutions. These resources are essential for understanding the legal framework governing the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence across the EU.