Navigating the EU AI Act – What UK and EU Businesses Must Do Now in AI and Security

The EU AI Act, which came into effect in August 2024, is a transformative piece of legislation that positions Europe at the forefront of trustworthy, responsible artificial intelligence. For businesses operating across the UK and EU, this Act isn’t just red tape—it’s your roadmap for creating successful AI systems. AI and security is the way to earn user trust, avoid eye-watering fines, and open new markets.

What the EU AI Act Means for You

The Act uses a risk-based approach, categorising AI systems into “unacceptable”, “high risk”, “limited risk”, or “minimal risk”. High-risk AI - think systems used for HR, credit scoring, healthcare, or biometric recognition - come with significant obligations:

• Mandatory risk assessments and mitigation

• High-quality, non-biased datasets

• Robust audit logs and documentation

• Clear human oversight

• Transparency about AI-generated content

  
  

🔒 Fail to comply and you could face fines of up to €40 million or 7% of worldwide turnover

What Should Businesses Do Next?

• Inventory all AI systems: Map which EU-granular risk tier your solution falls into

• Start complying early: The ‘AI Pact’ allows you to align voluntarily ahead of deadlines

• Enhance data governance controls: Ensure your data practices stand up to scrutiny

• Prepare human oversight procedures: Always have a responsible human in the loop for critical decisions

  
  

Don’t just treat compliance as a checkbox exercise - use it as an opportunity to build trusted, competitive AI

#AI #Regulation #Customertrust #Informationsecurity #SME

Rachel Gentry, Founder & Managing Director