The European Union’s AI Act entered a new enforcement phase on August 2, 2026. This milestone grants the European Commission’s AI Office and national authorities significant regulatory powers. Officials can now investigate general-purpose AI (GPAI) providers and order corrective actions.
Immediate transparency rules require labels for AI-generated content such as deepfakes. Systems must also inform users when they are interacting with artificial intelligence. Current enforcement focuses on GPAI models and prohibited practices, while high-risk system rules will follow later.
Non-compliant companies face fines of up to 3% of their global annual turnover. This penalty structure creates substantial compliance pressure for major technology firms operating within the EU.