U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has introduced a bill that would allow artificial intelligence companies to apply for regulatory exemptions to foster innovation. The proposal includes a two-year exemption period and requires companies to outline potential risks while addressing concerns from consumer advocacy groups about the implications of such regulatory changes.
The EU AI Act, launching in August 2025, establishes a comprehensive legal framework for ethical AI development worldwide, categorizing AI by risk and imposing strict documentation and governance requirements, particularly for General-Purpose AI models. Non-compliance can lead to substantial fines, making it a pivotal regulation for AI developers globally.
In February 2025, the European Commission published guidelines to clarify key aspects of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, including the definition of an “AI system.” The guidelines detail the necessary characteristics of AI systems, such as autonomy, adaptiveness, and their ability to infer outputs from given inputs.
The Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) is EU legislation designed to enhance citizens’ experience, privacy, and safety when using AI, while imposing limitations on corporations to prevent discrimination. It categorizes AI systems by risk levels, with strict regulations for high-risk systems and prohibitions on unacceptable uses of AI.
The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act, adopted in August 2024, faces significant challenges as the European Commission seeks to simplify regulatory obligations, raising concerns about potential weakening of its provisions. The push for deregulation has sparked backlash from civil society and emphasizes the need for careful consideration of any amendments to ensure the protection of fundamental rights.
The upcoming governance framework on artificial intelligence in India may introduce a “technical secretariat” to coordinate AI policies across government departments, moving away from the previous idea of establishing a regulatory body. This secretariat, to be housed within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, will focus on developing metrics and frameworks while collaborating with the industry on AI-related issues.
Italy has become the first country in the EU to pass a comprehensive law regulating artificial intelligence, which includes prison terms for harmful uses of the technology, such as generating deepfakes. The legislation aims to promote safe and transparent AI use while imposing stricter rules on child access and ensuring human oversight in various sectors.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing various sectors such as healthcare and finance, necessitating effective regulation to ensure ethical and transparent use. Different regions are adopting unique approaches to AI governance, with the EU establishing comprehensive laws while the U.S. relies on sector-specific guidelines.
The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act aims to establish a global standard for AI regulation, potentially reflecting the ‘Brussels effect.’ However, the paper argues that its procedural and experimentalist approach may lead to a more cooperative regulatory landscape rather than a dominant framework for AI governance worldwide.
The EU AI Act 2026 is set to transform AI innovation by implementing a risk-based regulatory framework that balances safety, transparency, and ethical considerations. This legislation will support responsible AI development while ensuring that high-risk applications are subject to strict oversight, fostering trust among users and society.