Our summary
The AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) entered into force on 1 August 2024 and sets harmonised EU rules for AI. The European Commission’s AI Act Service Desk and Single Information Platform help organizations understand whether the rules apply to them and what they must do. The platform includes the AI Act Explorer (text, annexes and recitals), a Compliance Checker, an official implementation timeline, FAQs, national resources, guidance on classifying high-risk AI systems, and a form to send questions to experts working with the EU AI Office.
The timeline on the platform already reflects the Digital Omnibus on AI. Prohibitions and AI literacy have applied since 2 February 2025, and rules for general-purpose AI since 2 August 2025. Transparency rules and enforcement started on 2 August 2026, and new bans on AI that creates non-consensual sexual deepfakes or child abuse material apply from 2 December 2026. Rules for high-risk AI systems listed in Annex III now apply from 2 December 2027, and for high-risk AI in products under Annex I from 2 August 2028.
How auditors use it: Use the Compliance Checker and timeline to test whether management has an AI inventory, has classified each use case by risk level, and has a plan for the 2027 and 2028 deadlines. Check that controls against prohibited AI uses and AI literacy measures are already in place, and read the platform’s Digital Omnibus FAQ for any changes to these duties.