AI Compliance Deadlines 2026: The Complete Timeline
AI regulation is moving fast. Multiple deadlines are approaching in 2026. Miss one and you could face fines up to €35M. Here is every major AI compliance deadline, sorted chronologically, with what you need to do before each one.
Timeline
NYC Local Law 144 — bias audit requirement active
January 1, 2023
Switzerland nFADP in force
September 1, 2023
Illinois AI Video Interview Act (AAIA) in force
January 1, 2024
South Korea PIPA AI amendments in force
March 15, 2024
EU AI Act entered into force
August 1, 2024
Utah AI Policy Act in force
January 1, 2025
EU AI Act: prohibited practices ban (Art. 5)
February 2, 2025
EU AI Act: GPAI model rules in force
August 2, 2025
India DPDPA Rules notified
November 13, 2025
TODAY
April 15, 2026
Colorado AI Act takes effect
June 30, 2026
EU AI Act: high-risk AI + transparency obligations
August 2, 2026
Colorado AI Act: initial impact assessments due
September 28, 2026
EU DORA: operational resilience deadline (financial)
January 17, 2027
India DPDPA: enforcement begins
May 13, 2027
EU AI Act: high-risk AI in existing products
August 2, 2027
Missing AI compliance deadlines results in fines, enforcement actions, and in some cases criminal liability. EU AI Act fines reach €35M. Colorado fines are $20,000 per violation. NYC fines are up to $500,000 per violation. India DPDPA fines reach ₹250 crore (~$30M USD). The cost of compliance is always lower than the cost of non-compliance.
Any business that: (1) uses AI tools (even just ChatGPT or Copilot), (2) serves customers in regulated jurisdictions (EU, US states, India, etc.), or (3) processes personal data with AI algorithms. If in doubt: yes, these laws apply to you.
What to do right now
Prioritize EU AI Act (Aug 2, 2026) — affects most businesses globally
If you hire in Colorado or make AI-assisted decisions there: Colorado AI Act (Jun 30)
If you hire in NYC: NYC Local Law 144 is already in force
If you hire in Illinois: Illinois AAIA is already in force
Use ComplianceIQ to get a personalized deadline calendar for your business