What Is The EU AI Act?
The EU AI Act, which came into force in August of 2024, establishes a regulatory framework in the EU for the use of artificial intelligence. It categorizes AI systems into four risk levels: unacceptable, high, limited, and minimal or no risk. Systems deemed to pose unacceptable risks, such as those threatening individuals' safety or rights, are prohibited. The framework also establishes transparency obligations for AI systems interacting with humans or making automated decisions that impact individuals.
The Act applies to both providers and users of AI systems within the EU, as well as entities outside of the EU that supply AI systems to the EU market or use AI systems affecting individuals within the EU. It's critical to start now if you fall into one of these categories. Provisions that entail the prohibition of certain AI practices were effective as of February 2, 2025. The full applicability of the Act starts August 2, 2026.
Why EU AI Act Compliance Is a Good Idea
Complying with the EU AI Act is essential for organizations aiming to operate within the EU market. Organizations that align their AI governance frameworks with the requirements of the EU AI Act will be better positioned to operate in the EU market while avoiding regulatory scrutiny. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties, with fines ranging up to €35 million, or 7% of a company’s annual turnover, whichever is higher.
Meeting requirements early can create a competitive advantage for your organization. Many enterprise buyers and partners will require proof of compliance before engaging with AI-powered services. Businesses that are able to demonstrate strong AI governance are more likely to secure contracts and attract investors. Lastly, the Act’s requirements around incident response plans for AI-related failures or security breaches can serve to greatly improve overall operational resilience.
Adherence to the EU AI Act promotes responsible AI practices, creates trust with customers and partners, and reduces risk to your organization substantially.
How Do We Do It?
At Rhymetec, we excel at enabling organizations to achieve their security and compliance goals. For EU AI Act compliance, we begin with a gap assessment to see where you are versus where you need to be. From there, we lay out a roadmap to compliance starting with a risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities in your AI systems. Following this, we develop a risk register documenting mitigation strategies, in alignment with EU AI Act requirements.
Our team collaborates closely with you to establish incident response plans for AI-related incidents, improve your data protection capacities by implementing technical controls such as intrusion detection systems, and conduct regular system and data backups. To maintain ongoing compliance, we provide employees with security awareness training and develop policies for your oganization in line with the Act's requirements.
EU AI Act Compliance Deliverables From Rhymetec
Our services to fast-track you to EU AI Act compliance include:
- Risk Management
- Incident Response and Business Continuity
- Data Protection and Recovery
- Ongoing Security Controls
- Compliance Documentation and Reporting
These deliverables equip your organization with the necessary tools and documentation to meet EU AI Act requirements and uphold responsible AI practices.
Ready to get started?
Contact us today to discuss how we can streamline the certification process for your organization.
