The EU AI Act is the world's first broad law regulating artificial intelligence. In 2026 the main obligations take effect. SMEs that use or buy AI tools will face it too, often without realising.
What the AI Act governs
The law looks not at the technology, but at the risk of the use case. The greater the impact on people, the stricter the requirements. Applications fall into four categories.
Unacceptable risk
High risk
Limited risk
Minimal risk
“Most business owners don't know how much AI is already in their existing software. The first step is simply: map what you use.”
Adviser, WeMatch.Tech
What you can do now
You don't need to hire a lawyer. Three steps get you a long way: map which AI your organisation uses, ask your vendors how they handle the AI Act, and record which tools are used for which decisions.
Buying new software with AI features? Make compliance a selection criterion. Our advisers help you ask the right questions, free of charge.