EU AI Act timeline

April 21, 2021

Three years ago, the European Commission proposed the first EU regulatory framework for AI.

2021-2023

Over the years, many hours have been spent debating and negotiating details of the proposed legislation.

December 9, 2023

The Parliament  reached a provisional agreement with the Council on the AI Act after 3-day ‘marathon’ talks.

February 2, 2024

The Council formally approved the final text of the AI Act in preparation for the plenary vote.

February 13, 2024

The European Parliament’s Internal Market and Civil Liberties Committees will adopt the AI rulebook..

March/April 2024

The European Parliament’s vote on the EU AI Act is provisionally scheduled for April 10-11.

April/May 2024

If the vote goes through it will need to be entered into the EUR-Lex Official Journal of the European Union.

+20 days

And 20 days after entered into the journal, the AI Act will enter into force. Let’s call it AIA-Day.

Vacatio legis

During a transitional period stakeholders are given time to “adapt” before legislation is applied.

AIA-DAY + 6 months

Applicability for prohibited AI systems comes first, perhaps as early as December 2024.

AIA-DAY + 12 months

Specific obligations regarding general purpose AI systems will be applicable after 1 year.

AIA-DAY + 24 months

Most other obligations will be applicable after 2 years, including rules for high-risk AI systems (Annex III).

AIA-DAY + 36 months

Specific obligations related to high-risk systems included in Annex II are applicable after 3 years

That's all folks!

It’s humbling to realise that it will likely be six years between the first draft proposal and the  AI Act coming into full enforcement. 

Remember

This isn’t the only legislation to monitor. EU member states may implement their own regulations in the interim with shorter compliance windows.