The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act has officially entered into force, marking a historic moment in the regulation of AI technologies. As the world's first comprehensive AI law, it sets a global benchmark for how countries might approach the balance between innovation and safety.
### Key Provisions
The Act categorizes AI systems by risk:
- Unacceptable Risk: Banned outright (e.g., social scoring).
- High Risk: Subject to strict obligations before entering the market (e.g., critical infrastructure, employment).
- Limited Risk: Transparency obligations (e.g., chatbots).
- Minimal Risk: Unregulated.
### Global Impact
Companies worldwide doing business in the EU must comply, creating a 'Brussels Effect' that could standardize AI safety protocols globally. Silicon Valley giants are already adjusting their compliance frameworks to meet these new standards.