Learn · Your data · 6 min
The EU AI Act and the rules in the UK and US, in plain words
What the law now says you must be told, the dates that matter, and how the UK and US differ. Checked on 30 October 2026.
The EU AI Act sorts AI by risk, and some is already banned
It bans some uses outright, puts strict duties on high-risk ones, and asks for honesty about the rest. It came into force on 1 August 2024 and switches on in stages. Since 2 February 2025: AI that manipulates people in harmful ways, exploits vulnerable people, scores citizens socially, scrapes faces from the internet in bulk, or reads emotions at work or school. From 2 December 2026 AI tools that make sexual deepfakes of people without consent, or child abuse images, are banned too.
What you must now be told
Since 2 August 2026, a chatbot must tell you it is AI at the start, unless that is obvious. Realistic AI images, audio and video that could pass as real must be labelled. AI-written text published to inform the public must say so, unless a person reviewed it and takes responsibility. Fines reach 15 million euros or 3% of worldwide turnover.
Still to come
Strict rules for AI used in hiring, education, credit and other high-risk areas were delayed by a 2026 amendment called the AI Omnibus. They now start on 2 December 2027, and on 2 August 2028 for AI built into regulated products.
The UK has no AI Act
The UK relies on existing regulators, such as the ICO for your data and Ofcom for online safety, applying five principles. UK data protection law already covers AI that uses your personal information. A parliamentary committee called for an AI bill in September 2026; the government has not decided.
The US is state by state
There is no federal AI law. Texas's Responsible AI Governance Act has applied since 1 January 2026. California now requires companion chatbots to say they are AI and to protect children, and Colorado replaced its AI Act with a narrower law that starts on 1 January 2027 and gives a right to ask for human review of important automated decisions.
Try it now
See what each AI app does with your chats, and the switches that change it.
Reviewed from: AI Act implementation timeline (European Commission AI Act Service Desk), Regulatory framework for AI (European Commission), Quick facts: transparency rules for AI systems (European Commission), Article 50 (artificialintelligenceact.eu), AI Omnibus enters into force (European Commission), AI regulation: a pro-innovation approach (UK Government), AI and data protection guidance (ICO), HB 149 history (Texas Legislature), Governor signs bills protecting children online (Office of the Governor of California), Colorado pares back AI law (PYMNTS). Written in our own words.
Drafted with AI from the linked sources. Check the links for the full detail.