What do entrepreneurs gain from the EU AI Act, the new AI law?

The European Union is preparing for the full implementation of the EU AI Act this coming August, a regulation that establishes an unprecedented regulatory framework for the development and use of artificial intelligence systems. Its main objective is to ensure a more transparent, safe, and ethical use of this technology through a risk-based approach that classifies AI systems according to the potential impact they may have on people.

In this context, Cristina Villasante, partner at ECIJA, highlights that the legislation introduces differentiated obligations based on the risk level of the systems, which range from the prohibition of certain uses deemed unacceptable to strict requirements for high-risk systems. As she explains, this model provides greater legal certainty for both companies developing artificial intelligence and those using it, while also strengthening the protection of fundamental rights and user trust.

The regulation also provides specific mechanisms to facilitate compliance for SMEs and start-ups, including institutional support initiatives and access to regulatory testing environments (sandboxes). However, the new regulations will require many organizations to adapt their internal technological development processes, especially in areas such as data governance, technical documentation, compliance assessments, and monitoring systems.

At ECIJA, Cristina Villasante emphasizes that the main challenge for many companies will be to integrate these regulatory requirements without stifling innovation or disproportionately increasing compliance costs. In an environment where artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, companies will need to stay up to date and continuously adapt their systems to respond to new regulatory interpretations and compliance standards.

With this regulation, Europe seeks to consolidate a model of technological development based on trust, transparency, and accountability, establishing a framework that could become a global benchmark for the governance of artificial intelligence.

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