Understanding Your Role in the EU AI Act: A Quick Guide for Businesses
From developers to deployers, each stakeholder has a clear responsibility in the AI lifecycle.
The EU AI Act sets out strict rules for how AI systems are developed, marketed, and used across the European Union. One of its core pillars is assigning specific responsibilities to different actors in the AI value chain. Whether you're creating AI, selling it, or using it in your business – your role determines your obligations under the law.
Here’s a simple breakdown of who’s responsible for what:
Providers
Role:
Deployers
The EU AI Act sets out strict rules for how AI systems are developed, marketed, and used across the European Union. One of its core pillars is assigning specific responsibilities to different actors in the AI value chain. Whether you're creating AI, selling it, or using it in your business – your role determines your obligations under the law.
Here’s a simple breakdown of who’s responsible for what:
Providers
Role:
- Develop and market AI systems
- Maintain detailed technical documentation
- Ensure full compliance with the EU AI Act
- Provide transparent information about how the AI works and its risks
Deployers
Role:
- Use AI systems within their organization
Responsibilities:
- Conduct impact and risk assessments
- Notify authorities when required
- Involve affected stakeholders in the evaluation processs
Importers
Role:
- Bring AI systems from non-EU countries into the EU market
Responsibilities:
- Verify that foreign AI systems comply with EU standards
- Keep required documentation available
- Cooperate fully with EU regulatory authorities
Distributors
Role:
- Make AI systems available on the EU market
Responsibilities:
- Check that systems have proper CE marking and meet conformity requirements
- Take corrective action if systems don’t comply
- Ensure cooperation with national and EU oversight bodies
Compliance with the EU AI Act isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on your position in the AI lifecycle. Whether you’re a provider, deployer, importer, or distributor, knowing your specific responsibilities helps you reduce risk, avoid penalties, and build trust in the AI systems you work with.
Start by identifying your role — and take the right steps toward responsible AI governance.