The AI Act does not come into force all at once. The European legislator has provided for a phased implementation to allow organizations to prepare. However, some deadlines are approaching fast. Here is the complete timeline.
Complete AI Act chronology
The regulation provides for a staggered entry into force over several years:
2024 - Publication and entry into force
August 2024
Entry into force of the regulation (20 days after Official Journal publication)
2025 - First prohibitions
February 2025
Prohibition of unacceptable risk practices (subliminal manipulation, social scoring, etc.)
August 2025
Obligations for general-purpose AI models (GPAI), designation of national authorities
2026 - Main obligations
August 2026
Full application of obligations for high-risk and limited-risk AI systems
2027 - Complete coverage
August 2027
Extension to AI systems integrated in regulated products (toys, medical devices, vehicles, etc.)
Critical deadlines not to miss
Some dates are particularly important and require immediate preparation:
Prohibited practices (Article 5) will be enforceable from February 2025. Check now that your AI systems do not fall into these categories.
Summary by date
Here is a summary table of the main deadlines:
| Date | Event | Who is affected? |
|---|---|---|
| 02/2025 | Prohibition of unacceptable practices | All AI operators |
| 08/2025 | GPAI obligations and authorities | GPAI providers, Member States |
| 08/2026 | High-risk system obligations | Providers and deployers |
| 08/2027 | Regulated products extension | Product manufacturers |
How to prepare effectively?
To be ready on time, we recommend the following actions:
- Q1 2025: Complete inventory of your AI systems
- Q2 2025: Classify your systems by risk level
- Q3 2025: Implement required documentation
- Q4 2025: Train your teams on new obligations
- Q1 2026: Conduct conformity assessments
The AI Act timeline may seem distant, but preparations must start now. Organizations that anticipate will be better positioned to transform this regulatory constraint into a competitive advantage.
