De AI Act: wat betekent het voor technologiebedrijven in Nederland en België?

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Onderwerp

From chatbots that assist customers to software that interprets medical data, artificial intelligence (AI) has become indispensable to businesses in less than two years. To ensure the safe use of this technology and prevent misuse, the European Union has introduced the AI Act.

In this article, we'll delve deeper into the content, specifically focusing on its relevance for technology companies.

What is the AI Act?

The AI Act is a European regulation that governs the use, development, and application of AI systems. Instead of a single, uniform set of rules, the AI Act uses risk categories: the greater the potential impact of AI on people and society, the stricter the rules. The law distinguishes four groups.

Forbidden AIApplications that pose an unacceptable risk must not be deployed. This includes systems that exploit vulnerable people or software that restricts individuals' freedom of choice through behavioral manipulation.
High-risk AISystems that fall into this category must meet strict requirements before they can be deployed. Examples include applications in critical infrastructure or medical equipment.
Limited risk: Transparency and information requirements apply here. For chatbots, for example, it must be clear that a human is talking to a machine, and for AI-generated content, companies must disclose that it involves AI.
Minimal risk
Voluntary codes of conduct apply here, but no obligations.

Which companies fall under the AI Act?

The AI Act applies to European companies and organisations that:

Developing AI
Using AI as a service
Importing or distributing AI within the EU
Using AI internally for decisions or automation

All parties within the supply chain must comply with the AI Act. This also applies to non-European suppliers doing business with EU companies.

What are the opportunities for businesses?

Critics fear the regulations will stifle innovation through additional bureaucracy, but the AI Act also offers opportunities for technology entrepreneurs:

Positioning brand: Early compliance increases customer and partner confidence in your company.

Attracting investors: A strong legal basis attracts investors because the risks are lower.

Strengthening pioneering role: Companies in the Netherlands and Belgium are strengthening their international leading role by developing high-quality and safe AI solutions.

When does the AI Act come into effect?

The AI Act has officially come into effect in Europe since August 1, 2024. To give companies time to compliant The EU is implementing the new law in phases. Some parts are already in place. For example, the use of prohibited AI systems has been prohibited since February 2, 2025. Three important deadlines are on the agenda for the coming years:

August 2, 2026: High-risk systems using AI must comply with the AI Act.
August 2, 2026: Transparency and information obligation (category 'limited risk') has been implemented.
August 2, 2027: The law also applies to high-risk products with built-in AI.

Enforcement and fines

AI regulators will be empowered to conduct inspections and shut down systems. Furthermore, companies that fail to comply with the law could face hefty fines.

Up to €35 million or 7% of global turnover for prohibited AI practices.
Up to €15 million or 3% of turnover for high-risk or transparency violations.
Up to €7.5 million or 1% of turnover for providing incorrect information to supervisors.

What can you do now?

FHI advises technology companies to inventory existing system risks, identify vulnerabilities and make a plan to respond in time compliant While these preparations take time and money, they also offer a competitive advantage because reliable and transparent AI products inspire greater trust among customers and partners.

Tip: Need legal support? FHI members have access to legal advice and specialized assistance from our partners Vestius Advocaten and Coupry Advocaten. The initial one-hour consultation is free of charge. If you require more legal support, a reduced hourly rate applies to FHI members. On our website Find out more about FHI Advies and other member benefits.

The AI Act: What does it mean for technology companies in the Netherlands and Belgium?