What happened. The Artificial Intelligence Act was published in the Official Journal on 12 July 2024 and entered into force twenty days later. Its obligations apply in stages: prohibited practices first, then rules for general-purpose models, then most high-risk obligations.
Why it matters for governance. High-risk systems need risk management, human oversight and documentation, and deployers that are public authorities must assess impacts on fundamental rights. The Act is the first broad, binding framework for AI used by governments in a large jurisdiction.
What to watch. Application dates for high-risk obligations have been the subject of proposals to adjust the timetable; check the current schedule in the Official Journal before relying on a date.