European Union: Entry into force with grace period of AI Act including provisions establishing a European Artificial Intelligence Board

On 1 August 2024, the regulation laying down harmonised rules on Artificial Intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act) enters into force, 20 days following its publication in the Official Journal, with a grace period on its implementation. The Act includes provisions for the establishment of a European AI Board and AI Office. The AI Office will be assigned the tasks of monitoring and ensuring compliance with the Act, conducting joint investigations, collaborating with national supervisory authorities, and offering guidance on the Act's obligations. A scientific panel of independent experts will contribute to developing methodologies for evaluating foundation models, providing recommendations on high-impact foundation models, and monitoring potential material safety risks associated with such models. Furthermore, the Act includes a framework for developing AI regulatory sandboxes. The sandboxes, designed for the controlled development, testing, and validation of innovative AI systems, will allow testing in real-world conditions. The Act is generally implemented on 2 August 2026 after the lapse of the grace period, though some sections are subject to variable implementation periods. Chapters I and II apply from 2 February 2025, Chapter III Section 4, Chapter V, Chapter VII, Chapter XII, and Article 78 apply from 2 August 2025, and Article 6(1) applies from 2 August 2027.