The EU AI Act Hits a Key Milestone: What Businesses Need to Know

On 2 February 2025, the EU AI Act reached a significant milestone. This moment signifies a broader commitment to responsible AI development throughout Europe. The implementation of this regulatory framework will have wide-reaching implications for businesses utilising AI in their operations.

One of the most pressing compliance areas is the elimination of prohibited AI practices from 2 February 2025. These practices include:

• Subliminal or manipulative techniques
• Exploitation of vulnerabilities (such as age, disability, or social/economic situation)
• Social scoring that leads to detrimental treatment
• Predictive policing and facial recognition databases
• Emotion inference in workplaces or educational institutions (except for medical or safety reasons)
• Biometric categorisation to infer characteristics
• Real-time biometric identification systems in public spaces for law enforcement (except for targeted searches or preventing imminent threats)

In addition to compliance with prohibited practices, businesses should focus on enhancing AI knowledge within their organisation. Whether a business is implementing high-risk AI systems or integrating AI into its day-to-day operations, it is crucial to ensure that staff are well-versed in the ethical and practical implications of AI. This includes understanding the regulations that govern AI deployment and how these regulations contribute to the responsible use of AI.

Conclusion: A Call for Responsible AI Development

The milestones set by the EU AI Act in 2025 underscore the importance of compliance with new regulatory standards in AI. By meeting these deadlines and ensuring compliance, businesses not only meet their legal obligations but also contribute to the ethical and responsible use of AI. In doing so, they help foster trust among users and stakeholders, positioning themselves as leaders in an increasingly AI-driven world.