The Drum · Weekly AI news, freeSubscribe →
Timeline
The EU AI Act is a landmark regulation aiming to establish ethical guidelines and transparency requirements for artificial intelligence systems within the European Union. It seeks to protect fundamental rights, ensure safety in high-risk applications, and promote trustworthy AI technologies across industries. Key milestones include its initial proposal in April 2021, followed by years of debate, amendments, and negotiations. The act's passage represents a significant step towards global regulatory leadership in artificial intelligence governance.
2018-04
White Paper Released
The European Commission published its White Paper on Artificial Intelligence, outlining initial proposals for regulatory intervention.
2018-12
AI Ethics Guidelines Drafted
The Commission's High-Level Expert Group on AI published draft ethics guidelines for trustworthy artificial intelligence.
2019-04
Feedback Period Ends
The public consultation period ended after receiving over 500 responses from various stakeholders.
2021-04
Proposal Submission
The European Commission submitted the AI Act proposal, marking a significant step in formalizing EU's approach to regulating AI.
2021-10
Council and Parliament Debates
The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament began discussing key aspects of the proposed AI Act.
2021-12
Joint Political Declaration
A joint political declaration on artificial intelligence was agreed upon by all EU member states, emphasizing the need for ethical AI.
2022-01
Public Consultation Opens
A public consultation on the draft AI Act was launched, seeking input from citizens and organizations across Europe.
2022-04
Council Adopts General Approach
The Council adopted its general approach towards the AI Act, setting a framework for future negotiations.
2022-10
First Committee Vote
The European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs voted in favor of the AI Act.
2023-01
Second Reading Drafted
The European Parliament published its second reading draft, incorporating amendments and feedback from various stakeholders.
2023-03
Parliamentary Plenary Vote
The European Parliament's plenary session voted in favor of the AI Act, moving it closer to final adoption.
2023-04
Formal Approval Process Begins
The formal approval process by the European Council and Commission began, marking progress towards final implementation.
2023-10
Council Endorses Act
The Council endorsed the AI Act's final text, aligning with Parliament's adopted version for legislative approval.
2023-11
Publication in Official Journal
The AI Act was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, taking effect 20 days thereafter.
2024-01
Implementation Deadline Approaches
Companies and organizations have a year to prepare for compliance as the AI Act implementation deadline nears.
Legend
regulation
Related Content
Related Timelines
