EU AI Act Begins Phased Rollout With Strict Deadlines for 2025
The EU AI Act officially enters into force in August 2024, setting off a series of incremental compliance deadlines. Companies and member states face critical milestones starting in early 2025 regarding prohibited AI practices and general-purpose models.
The EU AI Act officially enters into force on August 1, 2024, marking the start of a carefully structured implementation timeline. While no immediate requirements apply on this date, the formal publication in the Official Journal in July triggers a cascade of future obligations. Member States face an early deadline in November 2024 to identify and publicize the specific national authorities responsible for overseeing fundamental rights protections under the new law.
The first major compliance milestones take effect in February 2025, when prohibitions on specific high-risk AI systems and general AI literacy requirements become enforceable. By May 2025, the European Commission expects finalized codes of practice to be ready, providing essential guidance for developers. These early dates establish the foundational rules that govern acceptable AI deployment across the continent.
August 2025 brings another significant wave of application, activating strict rules for general-purpose AI (GPAI) models, governance structures, confidentiality mandates, and financial penalties. Providers of GPAI models that launch before this August deadline receive a two-year grace period until August 2027 to achieve full compliance. Additionally, member states must begin biennial reporting on the financial and human resources allocated to their national competent authorities.