Glossary
EU AI Act
The world's first comprehensive AI regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689), in force since 1 August 2024 and applying in phases, which classifies AI systems into four risk tiers and imposes binding obligations on the organisations that build and deploy them.
Term: EU AI Act
The EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) is the world’s first comprehensive AI regulation, in force since 1 August 2024 and applying in phases. It classifies AI systems into four risk tiers and imposes binding obligations on the organisations that build and deploy them.
Why it matters
The Act applies extraterritorially. UK organisations placing AI on the EU market or affecting EU citizens fall in scope regardless of Brexit. For NHS trusts, local authorities and professional services firms with European reach, the August 2026 deadline for high-risk obligations sets a fixed horizon for compliance work.
The four tiers run from unacceptable through high, limited and minimal risk. Each tier carries its own treatment, from outright prohibition to light transparency duties. Knowing which tier each system occupies is the first step in scoping the work ahead.
How it works in practice
High-risk systems cover biometric identification, critical infrastructure, employment, essential services, law enforcement, migration, justice and product safety components. These must meet conformity assessment, documentation, transparency and human oversight requirements, with most obligations applying from 2 August 2026.
Our AI Act Preparedness service scopes your systems against this deadline.
Related terms: AI Governance and AI risk assessment.
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