EU Formally Advances Preparations for AI Act Implementation, Tech Companies Enter Compliance Adjustment Phase

The European Commission announced on April 8 that it has entered a critical preparatory phase ahead of the full implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). Relevant supporting guidelines and enforcement frameworks are set to be released within the year. As the world's first comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, the Act establishes clear compliance requirements for technology companies in developing, deploying, and commercializing AI systems within the EU.

The EU stated that the AI Act will classify and regulate AI systems based on their risk levels, with a focus on overseeing high-risk applications, including those in finance, healthcare, public services, and biometrics. Major technology firms and AI model providers will be required to assume greater responsibilities in areas such as transparency, data governance, and risk assessment.

Analysts believe that as the Act moves into the substantive implementation phase, the EU is establishing itself as a key global reference for AI regulation. This framework is expected to have a profound impact on the product design and global compliance strategies of multinational technology companies.