It's now six month after the EU AI Act went live. Organizations have gotten familiar with the AI Act. We also see organizations having prepared plans for AI Act compliance. February 2, 2025 marks the first stage when actual obligations under the AI Act apply. 

BUT: The date for application of the first two chapters of the AI Act on February 2, 2025 came with high speed. 

(i) Even the EU Commission is not yet quite ready and announces that a lot will be published shortly (but is not ready): This might be helpful material, such as a living repository of AI literacy practices and guidelines on the prohibited AI practices that are posing unacceptable risks to citizens' safety and fundamental rights. Stay tuned. 

(ii) What are the most important rules in Chapters I and II of the AI Act?

1. Chapter I is about applicability, definitions and AI literacy. The latter (Art. 4) provides: Providers and deployers of AI systems take measures to ensure a sufficient level of AI literacy among their staff and other individuals involved in the operation and use of these systems. This includes considering the technical knowledge, experience, education, and training of personnel, as well as the context in which the AI systems are utilized and the individuals or groups affected by their use.  → TO DO: Train your staff
2. Chapter II is about prohibited AI practices. The following is not permitted in the EU as of Feb. 2, 2025: AI practices that pose unacceptable risks to individuals' fundamental rights and safety. This includes systems that manipulate vulnerable groups, enable social scoring by governments, or employ real-time remote biometric identification in public spaces for law enforcement purposes, except under strictly defined conditions. See Art. 5 AI Act for details.

(iii) What's Next? The next stage kicks in on August 2, 2025:

• Provisions for general purpose AI models contained in Chapter V of the AI Act
• Sanctions regulated in Chapter XII of the AI Act
• Appointment of Member State competent authorities

The first item will mean quite a bit of work for many organizations. Efforts will also involve agreements and service offerings - so jump at it if you have not done so already!