EU AI Act: Why Every Organization Using AI Must Pay Attention
The EU AI Act is the world’s first major regulation designed to govern how artificial intelligence is developed, deployed, and managed across industries. Approved in June 2024, it establishes harmonized rules for AI use across all EU member states — just as GDPR did for privacy.
Any organization that builds, integrates, or sells AI systems within the European Union must comply — even if they are headquartered outside the EU. That means U.S. and global companies using AI in European markets are officially in scope.
The Act introduces a risk-based regulatory model. AI is categorized across four risk tiers — from unacceptable, which are completely banned, to high-risk, which carry strict controls, limited-risk with transparency requirements, and minimal-risk, which remain largely unregulated.
High-risk AI includes systems governing access to healthcare, finance, employment, critical infrastructure, law enforcement, and essential public services. Providers of these systems must implement rigorous risk management, governance, monitoring, and documentation processes across the entire lifecycle.
Certain AI uses are explicitly prohibited — such as social scoring, biometric emotion recognition in workplaces or schools, manipulative AI techniques, and untargeted scraping of facial images for surveillance.
Compliance obligations are rolling out in phases beginning February 2025, with core high-risk system requirements taking effect in August 2026 and final provisions extending through 2027. Organizations have limited time to assess their current systems and prepare for adherence.
This legislation is expected to shape global AI governance frameworks — much like GDPR influenced worldwide privacy laws. Companies that act early gain an advantage: reduced legal exposure, customer trust, and stronger market positioning.
How DISC InfoSec Helps You Stay Ahead
DISC InfoSec brings 20+ years of security and compliance excellence with a proven multi-framework approach. Whether preparing for EU AI Act, ISO 42001, GDPR, SOC 2, or enterprise governance — we help organizations implement responsible AI controls without slowing innovation.
If your business touches the EU and uses AI — now is the time to get compliant.
📩 Let’s build your AI governance roadmap together.
Reach out: Info@DeuraInfosec.com
Earlier posts covering the EU AI Act
How ISO 42001 Strengthens Alignment With the EU AI Act (Without Replacing Legal Compliance)
Understanding Your AI System’s Risk Level: A Guide to EU AI Act Compliance
EU AI Act’s guidelines on ethical AI deployment in a scenario
EU AI Act concerning Risk Management Systems for High-Risk AI
Interpretation of Ethical AI Deployment under the EU AI Act
Aligning with ISO 42001:2023 and/or the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act
InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services | Mergers and Acquisition Security
- Not All Risks Are Equal: What Every Organization Must Know
- Shadow AI: When Productivity Gains Create New Risks
- EU AI Act: Why Every Organization Using AI Must Pay Attention
- From Regulation to Revenue: The Power of Strong Security Compliance
- 12 Pillars of Cybersecurity
