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Law, standards & governance

The EU AI Act risk lens

Also called: risk-based regulation, risk tiers

DEFINITION

The EU AI Act regulates AI by risk: a few uses are prohibited, some are 'high-risk' with strict duties, some carry transparency obligations, and the rest are largely unrestricted. Obligations follow the risk tier, not the technology.

WHY IT MATTERS

It's the first comprehensive AI law and a de-facto global reference. Where your use lands decides what you must do — so the practical first question is 'which tier is this?', not 'is AI allowed?'.

COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH

A ban on AI. Most everyday uses sit in the minimal-risk tier; the heavy duties target specific high-risk contexts like hiring, credit, and safety.

SOURCES

First-pass citations, limited to primary sources; a reviewer will broaden and verify these before this entry leaves draft.