EU AI Act
A Risk-Based Regulatory Framework
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act, formally adopted in 2024, is the world's first comprehensive binding legal framework for AI. It takes a risk-based approach: classifying AI applications into four tiers, with the highest-risk applications outright prohibited and progressively lighter obligations for lower-risk applications.
- Prohibited practices (Article 5): Originally included 8 categories — biometric mass surveillance in public spaces, social scoring by governments, subliminal manipulation techniques, exploitation of vulnerable groups, real-time remote biometric identification by law enforcement (with narrow exceptions), and others. The proposed amendment adds AI-generated CSAM and non-consensual deepfakes.
- High-risk AI: Applications in critical infrastructure, education, employment, essential services, law enforcement, border management, biometric identification — subject to strict conformity assessments, transparency obligations, and human oversight requirements.
- Limited risk: Chatbots and generative AI tools — must disclose AI-generated nature of content.
- Minimal risk: Most AI applications — no obligations.
- The AI Act prohibition provisions became effective in February 2025; the full Act is being phased in through 2026–2027.
● Tracked since March 16, 2026 · last seen May 05, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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