How the EU AI Act Will Reshape Corporate Compliance Starting in 2026

The EU AI Act has been in force since August 2024. The transition period runs through summer 2026. After that, the key rules around high-risk AI, governance, and transparency will apply in full.

By then, companies must:

• identify and evaluate all AI systems in use,
• put risk management and documentation in place,
• define responsibilities and oversight processes,
• prove technical and organizational safeguards.

The AI Act will become a cornerstone of modern corporate compliance – similar to how the GDPR transformed data protection.

a) Governance and accountability

Any company building or using AI systems needs a dedicated AI governance structure. This typically includes:

• appointing an AI Compliance Officer,
• setting up an internal AI governance committee,
• running regular risk reports and audits,
• adopting ethical guidelines for AI use.

These elements ensure AI is deployed responsibly, fairly, and in a way that can be explained.

b) Technical and organizational requirements

Companies must ensure their AI systems are:

• subject to human oversight,
• trained on reliable, non-discriminatory data,
• documented, traceable, and secure throughout their lifecycle,
• protected against manipulation and cyberattacks,
• able to flag incidents and errors promptly.

Tip: Draft internal rules early for how AI data, training, retraining, and updates are handled across teams.

c) Transparency and explainability

Users need to be able to tell when they’re interacting with AI. Systems must be disclosed, including their general purpose, data sources, and decision logic.

Example:
A company using AI for applicant screening must document which criteria the model evaluates and ensure that human review can step in at any time.

a) Compliance becomes strategic

AI compliance will no longer sit in a silo. It becomes part of the overall strategy because it affects product, IT, HR, legal, security, and ethics all at once.

b) New roles will emerge

Many organizations are already creating roles such as:

• AI Compliance Officer
• Ethical AI Lead
• AI Risk Manager

These positions combine legal expertise with data science and governance know-how.

c) Alignment with existing frameworks

The EU AI Act overlaps with the GDPR, NIS2, ISO 27001, and ESG requirements. A single integrated compliance structure saves time, prevents contradictions, and streamlines audits.

• Starting too late: Waiting for every detail to be finalized will put you behind.
• Unclear ownership: Without an AI governance team, oversight gaps are almost guaranteed.
• Incomplete documentation: Evidence is mandatory. No documentation = failed audit.
• Manual compliance workflows: Without automation, monitoring and audits quickly become unmanageable.
• Ignoring vendor risk: External AI components also need to be compliant.

Manual AI compliance doesn’t scale. Modern tools can handle:

• real-time monitoring of AI systems,
• automated audit reporting,
• detection of bias and policy violations,
• continuous updates when laws or guidance change.

The AI Act is only the beginning. Over the next few years, additional rules are expected—especially around liability, ethics, and the environmental impact of AI.

Organizations that invest early in governance structures and tooling won’t just stay compliant. They’ll build long-term momentum while strengthening trust with customers and partners.

Conclusion

The EU AI Act will redefine what compliance means for AI. Starting in 2026, the rule is simple: if you use AI, you need control, transparency, and accountability.

Companies that act early and lean on automation will be compliant—and better positioned for the future.

When does the EU AI Act fully apply?

From August 2026, the core requirements for governance, high-risk AI, and transparency become fully enforceable.

Who is affected?

Any company that develops, sells, or uses AI systems—regardless of industry or size.

What requirements apply from 2026 onward?

Risk assessment, documentation, governance, transparency, and continuous monitoring.

How does automation help?

Automated systems enable real-time oversight, reporting, and early detection of issues.

How does heyData support compliance?

heyData provides tools for automated compliance, audit documentation, and regulatory monitoring—ideal for preparing for the EU AI Act.