EU AI Act Deadline: August 2, 2026
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act became law on August 1, 2024. Enforcement of obligations for high-risk and general-purpose AI begins August 2, 2026 — 110 days from now. After this date, non-compliant businesses face fines of up to €35,000,000 or 7% of global annual turnover.
Timeline
EU AI Act entered into force
August 1, 2024
Prohibited AI practices ban takes effect (Article 5)
February 2, 2025
GPAI model rules take effect
August 2, 2025
TODAY — 109 days remaining
April 15, 2026
Full enforcement: high-risk AI, transparency obligations
August 2, 2026
High-risk AI in existing products must comply
August 2, 2027
After August 2, 2026: regulators in EU member states (Bundesnetzagentur in Germany, ANSSI in France, ICO in the UK for GPAI) can investigate and fine non-compliant organizations. Maximum fines are €35M or 7% of global turnover for prohibited practices, €15M or 3% for high-risk AI violations, and €7.5M or 1% for providing false information. Enforcement is expected to begin with larger companies first.
Any organization that: (1) places an AI system on the EU market, (2) puts an AI system into service in the EU, (3) uses an AI system to interact with EU users, or (4) uses an AI system that processes data of EU residents — regardless of where the organization is based.
What to do right now
Complete an AI tool inventory — every AI system your organization uses or provides
Classify each system by risk tier: Prohibited, High-Risk (Annex III), Limited, Minimal
For any High-Risk AI: begin conformity assessment immediately — this takes 4–12 weeks
Add transparency disclosures for chatbots, AI-generated content, and emotion recognition
Draft your AI Acceptable Use Policy for employees
Document your high-risk AI systems in a technical file
If outside EU: designate an EU authorized representative
Start now — 109 days is not enough time for high-risk AI conformity assessments from scratch