When will corporations and governments need to comply with the EU AI act?

The final text of the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) has not yet been adopted, but the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached a political agreement on 6 December 2023. The agreement is expected to be finalized and published in the Official Journal of the European Union in the first half of 2024. Once the AIA is formally adopted, there will be a transitional period of 20 months before the main provisions of the regulation enter into force.

This means that corporations and governments will need to comply with the AIA's main provisions by 21 December 2025. However, there are some provisions of the AIA that will enter into force sooner. For example, the requirements for prior conformity assessments for high-risk AI systems will enter into force on the day the AIA is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

In the meantime, corporations and governments should start preparing for compliance with the AIA. This includes:

• Undertaking a self-assessment of their AI systems to determine whether they fall within the scope of the AIA.

• Identifying the relevant Notified Bodies and notifying them of their intention to market or put into use their AI systems.

• Developing internal policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the AIA.

• Investing in training and education for employees on the AIA.

By preparing for compliance well in advance, corporations and governments can help to minimize disruption and ensure that they are compliant with the AIA when it comes into force.