AI Act
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, establishing harmonised rules for AI systems in the European Union.
How the laws define this
Both cited instruments establish that the AI Act refers to Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, which creates harmonised rules for artificial intelligence within the European Union. However, they diverge in how they characterize its practical scope and primary objectives. The EDPB-EDPS Joint Opinion 1/2026 on the Proposal for a Regulation as regards the simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Digital Omnibus on AI) details specific mechanics, noting that the rules apply to the development, placing on the market, and use of systems, while categorizing them by risk level to impose obligations on providers and deployers for safety and fundamental rights. In contrast, the Regulation on the simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Digital Omnibus on AI) presents it more broadly as a foundational legal framework aimed at ensuring trustworthy and human-centric AI.
Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
What it triggers
- Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 simplifies AI compliance obligations for developers and deployers.source
Definitions (2)
The 'AI Act' denotes Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, which establishes harmonised rules for the development, placing on the market, and use of artificial intelligence systems in the European Union. It categorizes AI systems by risk level and imposes corresponding obligations on providers and deployers to ensure safety and fundamental rights.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, the foundational legal framework in the European Union establishing harmonised rules for artificial intelligence, aiming to ensure trustworthy and human-centric AI.
Questions and answers
How does the Digital Omnibus on AI affect the AI Act?
Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 simplifies the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence from the AI Act for developers and deployers. It entered into force on 2026-07-27 and is currently in force.
What is the EDPB-EDPS Joint Opinion on the Digital Omnibus on AI?
It guides EU co-legislators on maintaining privacy safeguards in the proposed simplification of AI rules. Published on January 21, 2026, by the European Data Protection Board and European Data Protection Supervisor, it is not binding.