Updated: April 2025 | International Policy | A2-B1 English

🧭 Introduction: A New Law That Changes Everything

In April 2025, the European Union made an important decision that affects not only Europe, but also the future of artificial intelligence across the world 🌍. After years of preparation and discussion, the EU officially approved the AI Act, a new law designed to control how AI is developed, tested, and used.

This new law is the first of its kind. No other region in the world has a complete and structured law like this. That is why many people say the EU is becoming the global leader in AI regulation.

The goal is clear: to make sure AI works in a safe, human-centered, and ethical way. But making that goal a reality is complex. The AI Act touches many parts of life, from hospitals to job applications, from education to online shopping. It wants to protect people’s rights while helping innovation grow in a responsible way.

So, what exactly does this law do? And why is it so important? Let’s take a closer look 👀.

🔍 Why Did the EU Create a Law on AI?

Artificial intelligence is everywhere now. In the last few years, AI systems became more powerful and more common. They help doctors detect diseases, allow cars to drive themselves, and support police with surveillance and predictions. AI also plays a big role in schools, public transport, banking, hiring workers, and even writing news.

But at the same time, these tools are not perfect. Some of them make decisions that are difficult to understand. Others use data in a way that can be unfair or dangerous.

For example, in some European countries, AI systems were used to decide which families could receive financial help from the government. The result? Many honest people were wrongly accused of fraud. In other places, facial recognition tools were used to track people without their permission, which raised serious privacy concerns.

These problems made it clear: AI can help society, but only if it is designed and used with care. That’s why the European Commission decided to act. In 2021, it proposed the AI Act. After four years of negotiations, in April 2025, the European Parliament finally approved it ✅.

🏛️ What Does the AI Act Say?

The AI Act introduces a completely new system to control artificial intelligence. It does not try to stop AI — on the contrary, it supports innovation. But it wants AI to be used in a way that respects people, especially in sensitive areas like health, security, and education.

The most important idea in the AI Act is “risk.” Instead of making one rule for all AI, the law creates different levels depending on how dangerous the technology might be.

If an AI system can seriously hurt people’s safety or rights, it is considered very risky. These systems are allowed only if they follow strict rules, including full transparency and human supervision.

If the system has only a low impact, then the rules are lighter. Some systems that are considered too dangerous — like real-time facial recognition in public spaces — are completely banned.

This approach is flexible. It does not say that AI is good or bad. Instead, it looks at the context and use. An AI chatbot giving customer service advice is very different from an AI deciding whether someone should go to jail. The law understands this difference and acts accordingly.

📋 Who Will Be Affected?

Many people think that a law like this only affects big tech companies. But the reality is broader.

The AI Act will affect developers, public institutions, private companies, and users all across Europe — and even outside Europe.

Any company that wants to sell AI products in the EU market must follow these rules, even if they are based in the US, China, or elsewhere. This is why many experts say the AI Act will influence global standards 🌐.

Also, people who use AI — like hospitals, schools, or local governments — must learn to check the tools they are using. They will need to ask: “Is this system registered?”, “Does it follow EU rules?”, “Can I explain how it works if someone asks?”

The law wants AI to be not only functional, but also understandable. Citizens must be able to know when AI is involved in a decision, and why.

🧪 What Will Change in Daily Life?

For many people, AI is something abstract. It works in the background. You do not see it — you just feel its effects. But with the AI Act, those effects may become more visible and more transparent.

If you apply for a job, for example, and a computer system checks your CV, the employer must tell you that AI was used. If the system rejects you, you have the right to ask why.

If a city uses cameras with facial recognition, the public must be informed. If the system identifies someone incorrectly, there must be a way to report and correct it.

If your bank uses AI to check your risk before giving a loan, that process must be fair and explainable.

So the goal is not just to protect — but also to empower people 👥. You should not be a passive subject in a digital world. You should have control.

🧠 What Are the Challenges?

Creating a law is one thing. Making it work is another.

The AI Act will require new systems of control. The EU plans to create national authorities that will check if companies follow the rules. There will also be a European AI Office to support coordination between countries.

But enforcement is difficult. The AI world moves fast. New tools appear every week. Some are open-source and decentralized. Some come from countries without similar rules.

Also, companies worry that too many restrictions could slow innovation. Startups in particular fear they may not have enough money or expertise to meet the law’s requirements.

That’s why the EU promises to offer support. It will create test zones where companies can try their ideas before putting them on the market. It will also invest money to help small companies adapt.

Still, the debate continues. Is the law too soft, or too hard? Will it protect people, or block progress? These questions will stay with us for years to come.

🌐 Global Reaction and Next Steps

The world is watching what Europe is doing. In the US, the government is considering similar rules, but progress is slow. In China, AI development is very fast, but with a different approach to control and freedom.

In other countries, the AI Act is seen as a model. Canada, Brazil, and Japan are discussing their own laws. The EU hopes to inspire a global conversation.

The next step is implementation. The rules will enter into force in 2026. That gives companies and governments time to prepare.

Training programs, public campaigns, and new guides will appear in the next months. Citizens will also learn more about their rights and protections under the law.

This is not just a law for experts. It is a law for everyone. Because AI is no longer a future dream. It is part of our lives now — and how we manage it will define the world of tomorrow.

📌 Summary – Key Points

• In April 2025, the EU approved the AI Act, a new law that regulates artificial intelligence.
• The law classifies AI systems by risk level, from banned uses to low-risk applications.
• It requires companies and institutions to follow rules on transparency, safety, and fairness.
• The AI Act applies not only to EU companies, but to any company working in Europe.
• Challenges include fast tech evolution, small company adaptation, and global coordination.
• The law will be fully active in 2026, after a transition period of one year.

📘 Glossary – English/Italian 🇬🇧➡️🇮🇹