The EU AI Act is being enforced in phases from 2024 to 2027. Here are all the key dates, obligations, and deadlines your organization needs to know.
Five milestone dates from entry into force through full enforcement.
The EU AI Act (Regulation EU 2024/1689) officially enters into force after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Banned AI practices take effect and all organizations using AI must ensure staff AI literacy. This is the first binding compliance deadline.
Obligations for providers of general-purpose AI models, including transparency and documentation requirements.
The majority of the EU AI Act takes effect. High-risk AI system obligations, transparency requirements, and conformity assessments become mandatory.
High-risk AI systems already on the market (Annex I systems — regulated products) must fully comply.
The EU AI Act uses a risk-based approach. Your obligations depend on how your AI systems are classified.
Banned outright (social scoring, manipulative AI, etc.)
Strict requirements (HR, credit, law enforcement AI, etc.)
Transparency obligations (chatbots, deepfakes, etc.)
No specific obligations, voluntary codes of conduct
The EU AI Act carries significant financial penalties. Prevention is far cheaper than non-compliance.
For SMEs, fines are capped at the lower of the absolute amount or the turnover percentage, whichever is less.
Whether you are just starting or already preparing, here is what matters most right now.
Article 4 AI literacy training has been mandatory since Feb 2025. If you have not started, you are already behind.
Start AI Literacy TrainingIdentify all AI systems in your organization and classify their risk level. This is the foundation for all other compliance activities.
Try Free ClassifierComplete documentation, risk assessments, conformity declarations, and monitoring systems before the August 2026 deadline.
Free AssessmentAktAI automates AI system classification, document generation, staff training, and gap analysis — everything you need to meet every deadline on this timeline.
No credit card required. Free tier available.