The EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) is the world's first comprehensive law regulating artificial intelligence (AI) within the European Union, establishing a risk-based framework to ensure AI systems are trustworthy, safe, and uphold fundamental rights. It applies to AI providers and deployers, imposing different obligations based on a four-tier risk system (unacceptable, high, limited, and minimal risk), with outright bans on unacceptable-risk AI and strict requirements for high-risk systems like those used in education or critical infrastructure.
Ensure AI systems are safe and respect EU values
Create legal certainty for businesses using AI
Promote innovation while minimizing risk
Protect people from harmful or discriminatory AI applications
Applies to providers, deployers, importers, and distributors of AI systems in the EU
Covers AI systems used in products, services, public administration, and more, including healthcare, finance, education, and law enforcement
Applies regardless of whether the provider is based inside or outside the EU, as long as the AI is used within the EU market
Provider
Deployer
Importer
Operator
Distributor
The four levels of risk
The European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) introduces a pioneering regulatory approach to AI, based on a risk-based framework. This framework classifies AI systems into four categories of risk, structured like a pyramid: the higher the risk, the stricter the regulation.
Unacceptable Risk
High Risk
Limited Risk
Minimal Risk
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The guidelines on the AI system definition explain the practical application of the legal concept, as anchored in the AI Act.
By issuing guidelines on the AI system definition, the Commission aims to assist providers and other relevant persons in determining whether a software system constitutes an AI system to facilitate the effective application of the rules.
These guidelines provide an overview of AI practices that are deemed unacceptable due to their potential risks to European values and fundamental rights.
The AI Act, which aims to promote innovation while ensuring high levels of health, safety, and fundamental rights protection, classifies AI systems into different risk categories, including prohibited, high-risk, and those subject to transparency obligations.
The Commission has unveiled the AI Office, established within the Commission.
The AI Office aims at enabling the future development, deployment and use of AI in a way that fosters societal and economic benefits and innovation, while mitigating risks.