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ARTICLE · 29 MAY 2026

The EU AI Act – The Current State Of Play

Travers Smith LLP
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The EU AI Act introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence systems, establishing risk-based obligations that vary from outright bans on certain AI applications to detailed...

United KingdomTechnology
Louisa Chambers
Louisa Chambers
James Longster
James Longster
Helen Reddish
Helen Reddish
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The EU AI Act is one of the most significant pieces of technology regulation to emerge in recent years and it is still taking shape. In May 2026 alone, the EU provisionally agreed material changes through the Digital Omnibus on AI (see our previous briefing on the "AI Omnibus"), postponing key compliance deadlines, and published draft guidance on high-risk system classification and transparency requirements. This briefing sets out what the Act requires, who it applies to, when obligations apply, and what businesses should be doing now.

What and who is within the scope of the AI Act?

The obligations in the AI Act apply to providers (such as developers), deployers (users), importers, distributors, and product manufacturers of "AI systems" and providers of "general-purpose AI models". The most onerous obligations are borne by providers. 

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