Civic intelligence prototype
An experiment in explaining, tracking and discussing real legislation. It is not an official parliamentary service, and nothing on it is a vote, a poll or legal advice. Records were verified on 2026-09-23; always check the official page for each law before relying on it.
European Parliament and Council — in force, applying in stages to 2028
EU ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ACT (REGULATION (EU) 2024/1689), AS AMENDED BY THE DIGITAL OMNIBUS ON AI
It is the first broad AI law of its kind and sets rules that many non-EU providers follow in practice, so the deferrals and the new prohibitions change compliance planning worldwide.
Three things people often assume
- A Bill is not law. Until it is passed and brought into force, it changes nothing.
- An Act may not take effect immediately. Most laws are switched on in pieces, sometimes years apart.
- Secondary rules often decide the real impact. Regulations made later receive far less scrutiny than the original debate.
- 01
Issue
CompletedConcern about safety, discrimination and accountability in automated decision-making.
No legal effect; the agenda-setting stage in EU institutions and member states.
- 02
Commission proposal
CompletedThe European Commission proposed the Regulation in April 2021 with an impact assessment.
In the EU, the Commission alone proposes legislation; this text frames everything that follows.
- 03
European Parliament position
CompletedCommittee scrutiny and a plenary negotiating mandate setting Parliament's changes.
Committee reports and amendments are the main public record of lobbying positions.
- 04
Council general approach
CompletedMember state governments agreed the Council's negotiating position.
National governments shape scope and exemptions here, often out of public view.
- 05
Trilogue negotiation
CompletedParliament, Council and Commission negotiated a single compromise text.
Most of the final wording is settled in these closed negotiations.
- 06
Adoption and publication
CompletedAdopted and published in the Official Journal as Regulation (EU) 2024/1689.
A Regulation applies directly in every member state without national transposition.
- 07
Entry into force
CompletedEntered into force on 1 August 2024.
Entry into force is not the same as application; most duties started later.
- 08
First application phases
CompletedProhibitions and AI literacy from 2 February 2025; general-purpose AI model rules and national governance from 2 August 2025; most remaining rules and enforcement from 2 August 2026.
Each phase creates real duties on a fixed date, whether or not standards exist.
- 09
Amendment — Digital Omnibus on AI
Happening nowRegulation (EU) 2026/1744 was approved by Parliament on 16 June 2026 and Council on 29 June 2026, published on 24 July and in force from 27 July 2026.
An amending Regulation can move deadlines and add prohibitions without reopening the whole Act.
- 10
High-risk obligations
Still to comeNew prohibitions apply from 2 December 2026; standalone Annex III high-risk rules from 2 December 2027; Annex I embedded systems from 2 August 2028; legacy public-authority systems by 2 August 2030.
This is where most of the Act's practical burden and protection actually lands.
- 11
Implementation & review
Still to comeMember states must have at least one AI regulatory sandbox operational by 2 August 2027, and enforcement builds through the AI Office and national authorities.
Supervisory capacity decides whether the rules bite.
Where it stands today
Live current reporting · AI-summarised, neutralChecking current reporting…