AI Act • AI Governance • Risk Management

AI Act Timeline

The AI Act applies in phases. Business teams should turn the timeline into a practical readiness calendar.

Last updated4 May 2026
Update workflowWeekly monitoring, monthly edits
MethodOfficial sources + practical governance controls
Quick next step

Not sure where your AI use stands?

Run the free AI compliance checkup to get a practical readiness score, likely risk bucket, missing controls and next actions.

Interactive timeline

Key AI Act dates to track

Filter the milestones by obligation type. Use this as a monthly review prompt, then verify important changes against official sources.

2 Feb 2025General provisions, AI literacy and prohibitions

Screen for prohibited practices and build role-appropriate AI literacy into your governance baseline.

AI literacy guide
2 Aug 2025GPAI and governance structures

GPAI provider obligations and EU/member-state governance milestones become a key review area.

GPAI obligations
2 Aug 2026Most AI Act rules and Annex III high-risk obligations

Many transparency, compliance and high-risk requirements apply in the phased timeline.

High-risk AI systems
2 Aug 2027High-risk AI embedded in regulated products

Some high-risk AI systems used as safety components in regulated products reach later phased application.

Risk assessment workflow
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What to do now

  1. Build an AI inventory and owner list.
  2. Screen for prohibited practices and high-risk candidate use cases.
  3. Train employees on AI literacy and acceptable use.
  4. Document GPAI vendor exposure and approved-tool rules.
  5. Prepare risk assessments, transparency notices and monitoring for important systems.

Watch for updates

The implementation landscape is still evolving. Watch official AI Act Service Desk updates, European Commission guidance, GPAI instruments, transparency guidance, harmonised standards, national authority announcements and any simplification proposals that affect timing or support tools.

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FAQ

Is the AI Act fully applicable now?

No. It applies in phases. Some obligations are already relevant, while other high-risk and transparency obligations apply later in the phased timeline.

Should I wait until all rules apply?

No. Inventory, policy, risk triage, AI literacy and vendor documentation take time and should start early.

Where should I verify dates?

Use the official AI Act Service Desk and European Commission pages linked on the Sources page.

Sources and review method

This page is written as general business guidance, not legal advice. It is maintained from official AI Act materials, European Commission / AI Office updates, the NIST AI Risk Management Framework and practical AI governance controls.

Reviewed byAI Compliance Checkup Editorial Team
Review methodOfficial AI Act, European Commission, EUR-Lex and NIST sources
Last reviewed4 May 2026
Contactcontact@aicompliancecheckup.com