EU AI Act Enforcement Begins: First Compliance Deadlines Hit Major Tech Companies

The European Union's landmark AI Act has entered its first significant enforcement phase, with compliance deadlines now applying to companies deploying high-risk AI systems across EU member states. Organizations using AI in areas classified as high-risk—including hiring, credit scoring, critical infrastructure, and law enforcement—must now demonstrate compliance with the regulation's requirements.

High-risk AI systems must undergo conformity assessments, maintain comprehensive technical documentation, implement human oversight mechanisms, and register their systems in the EU's new AI database. Companies that fail to comply face fines of up to €30 million or 6% of global annual turnover, whichever is higher.

Major technology companies have been preparing for these deadlines for months, with many establishing dedicated AI compliance teams. However, smaller companies and startups have expressed concern about the compliance burden, with some considering whether to restrict EU operations.

The European AI Office, established to coordinate enforcement across member states, has signaled that initial enforcement will focus on education, guidance, and corrective action rather than immediate penalties, giving companies reasonable time to achieve full compliance.