The European Union is stepping up its oversight of artificial intelligence this week, as the main provisions of its landmark AI Act became applicable, giving regulators stronger powers to inspect advanced models and sanction companies that break the rules.
Issued on: 03/08/2026 - 18:06
3 min Reading time
Adopted in 2024, the EU AI Act has established one of the world’s most comprehensive frameworks for regulating artificial intelligence (AI). It seeks to protect consumers and fundamental rights while providing companies with clearer rules for developing and deploying the rapidly evolving technology. Some parts of the law were introduced earlier. A series of prohibited practices, including certain forms of AI manipulation and exploitation, have been banned since February 2025, while obligations covering providers of general-purpose AI models began to apply in August last year. From Sunday, however, the European Commission gained the power to enforce those obligations directly, including by conducting investigations and issuing fines. New transparency requirements have also taken effect, obliging providers and users of certain AI systems to make it clear when material has been artificially generated or manipulated.
