EU AI Act Passed into Law

On March 13, 2024, the European Parliament voted 523 to 46 to pass the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, the world's first comprehensive binding regulation of AI systems. The act classifies AI applications by risk level — from minimal to unacceptable — and prohibits uses including mass biometric surveillance, social scoring, and AI that exploits human vulnerabilities. High-risk systems in areas including critical infrastructure, employment, and law enforcement face mandatory transparency and accountability requirements. The law applies to any AI deployed in the EU regardless of where it is built, directly affecting American AI companies including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.