The EU AI Act governs the development and use of artificial intelligence within the EU to ensure safety, transparency and protection of fundamental rights. It applies a risk-based regulatory approach depending on the intended use and potential impact of AI systems.
Understanding the EU AI Act risk categories
The EU AI Act classifies AI systems into four categories based on risk:
- Prohibited AI practices: including social scoring and manipulative techniques
- High-risk AI systems: such as medical devices, autonomous vehicles and credit scoring
- Limited-risk AI systems: subject to transparency obligations
- Minimal-risk AI systems: with no specific regulatory requirements
High-risk AI systems are subject to strict requirements, including conformity assessment, technical documentation, risk management, human oversight and post-market monitoring. Early preparation is essential to maintain EU market access and avoid penalties.
