The EU AI Act is the first comprehensive legislation around artificial intelligence in Europe. It lays down how companies may use AI, what risks they must assess and how transparency is ensured. For companies already working with tools such as Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT it is important to know now what is changing.
Why this legislation is coming
The intention of the EU AI Act is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that AI on a safe and reliable way is used. Consider:
- Protection of personal data
- Fair decisions in HR and lending
- Transparency towards customers
What does this mean for your business?
Many companies are already using AI today, often without any procedures around it. For example:
- An employee test ChatGPT for writing customer emails
- HR looks at how Copilot can help with cover letters
- Administration uses AI to sort documents faster
These are not “high-risk applications” like medical AI or autonomous vehicles. But there do come obligations around documentation, transparency and conscious use.
The first step: AI literacy
Since February 2025 it is mandatory for companies to make their employees AI-literate. Why? Because you can only create correct procedures if your team understands:
- What AI can do and where the limits are
- What are the risks of misuse
- How Shadow AI (uncontrolled use by employees) is avoided
AI literacy ensures your employees Copilot and ChatGPT safe and efficient use, without unnecessary privacy or compliance risks.
What will change in 2026
From August 2026 come additional obligations:
- Documentation of which AI tools you use
- Risk assessments for applications impacting customers or employees
- Transparency: users need to know when they are dealing with AI
For a company, this mainly means using AI visible and manageable should be. Uncontrolled experimentation with ChatGPT, Copilot or other AI tools could then cause problems.
How to prepare smartly
- Make sure your team is AI literate - that is already mandatory.
- Create an overview of all AI tools circulating in your company.
- Set basic guidelines: which tools may be used and for what.
- Prepare procedures so that you are in order with documentation and transparency by August 2026.
The key message
The EU AI Act is not a brake, but an opportunity: it requires companies to use AI consciously, safely and strategically. For companies working with Copilot, ChatGPT or other tools, the biggest gain is that employees understand what they are doing and how to avoid risk.
AI literacy is the basis for this. From there, you can easily take the next steps towards compliance. This way, you not only stay in regulation, but also get the most out of AI in your business.
How we help you
At Metalab Academy We support companies with hands-on AI literacy workshops:
- Practical sessions tailored to your sector
- In Dutch, French or English
- Focused on safe and smart application of AI in your business
In addition, we also help you prepare procedures towards 2026 so that you become compliant step by step and without stress.
