Signal SentryUpdated Oct 4, 16:30 UTCPM Drop
Laws · European Union

EU AI Act

The EU's main AI law. It bans some AI uses, sets duties for general-purpose AI models, requires transparency for chatbots and AI-generated content, and sets strict rules for high-risk AI. It applies in phases. The Digital Omnibus on AI (Regulation (EU) 2026/1744) pushed the high-risk dates back, softened the AI literacy duty and added new bans on sexual deepfakes.

At a glance

DelayedNext: New bans apply: AI that makes non-consensual sexual deepfakes of real people or child sexual abuse material, Dec 2, 2026 (in 59 days).
Jurisdiction
European Union
Type
Regulation
Official title
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act)

What this means for you

If you build AI

  • General-purpose AI model duties have applied since 2 Aug 2025; models already on the market before then have until 2 Aug 2027.
  • If your AI generates images, audio, video or text, its output needs machine-readable AI marks; systems on the market before 2 Aug 2026 have until 2 Dec 2026.
  • High-risk system requirements now start 2 Dec 2027 (Annex III uses) and 2 Aug 2028 (AI in regulated products).

If you deploy AI

  • Chatbots must tell people they are talking to AI, and deepfakes must be labelled; these rules have applied since 2 Aug 2026.
  • Using AI for hiring, credit, education or similar high-risk purposes brings deployer duties from 2 Dec 2027.
  • Providers and deployers are expected to take measures to support AI literacy among staff who operate AI systems.

If you use AI

  • You should be told when you are chatting with an AI, and deepfake content should carry a label.
  • Some AI uses are banned in the EU, such as social scoring; from 2 Dec 2026 so are tools made to create non-consensual sexual deepfakes.
  • The Commission runs an AI Act complaints tool and a whistleblower tool.

Key dates

  1. Jul 12, 2024PastPublished in the Official Journal of the EUSource
  2. Aug 1, 2024PastEnters into forceSource
  3. Feb 2, 2025PastProhibited AI practices and AI literacy (Chapters I and II) applySource
  4. Jul 10, 2025PastCommission publishes the General-Purpose AI Code of PracticeSource
  5. Aug 2, 2025PastGeneral-purpose AI model obligations, governance and penalties applySource
  6. Jul 24, 2026PastDigital Omnibus on AI (Regulation (EU) 2026/1744) published; it enters into force on the third day afterSource
  7. Aug 2, 2026PastGeneral application: enforcement starts and Article 50 transparency rules (chatbots, deepfake labels) applySource
  8. Dec 2, 2026in 59 daysNew bans apply: AI that makes non-consensual sexual deepfakes of real people or child sexual abuse materialSource
  9. Dec 2, 2026in 59 daysGenerative AI already on the market before 2 Aug 2026 must mark its output as AI-generated (Art. 50(2))Source
  10. Aug 2, 2027in 302 daysDeadline for general-purpose AI models placed on the market before 2 Aug 2025 to complySource
  11. Dec 2, 2027in 424 daysHigh-risk rules apply to Annex III systems (e.g. hiring, credit, education, biometrics) - moved from 2 Aug 2026Source
  12. Aug 2, 2028in 668 daysHigh-risk rules apply to AI in products under Annex I law (Art. 6(1)) - moved from 2 Aug 2027Source

Status history

  1. Jul 24, 2026DelayedDigital Omnibus on AI published in the OJ: high-risk rules moved to 2 Dec 2027 (Annex III) and 2 Aug 2028 (Annex I)Source
  2. Aug 1, 2024In forceRules apply in phases (see key dates)Source
  3. Jun 13, 2024PassedSigned by Parliament and Council; published in the Official Journal on 12 July 2024Source

In the Drops

No Drop has covered this law yet.