Editorial · CASRAI · Compliance and regulatory
The EU AI Act and Research: Exemptions, High-Risk Obligations, and What Researchers Need to Know
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 — the EU AI Act — entered into force on 1 August 2024 and introduces a tiered risk framework for artificial intelligence systems deployed in the European Union. For researchers and research institutions, the Act creates a landscape that is more nuanced than either “AI is banned” or “AI is unrestricted”: a scientific research exemption under Article 2(6) removes most obligations from AI developed or used for R&D purposes, but high-risk AI systems deployed in domains such as education, employment, and essential services remain subject to strict requirements regardless of the research context. General-purpose AI models under Title VI carry their own transparency and copyright obligations. This article examines the Act’s provisions as they apply to research institutions, distinguishes between developing AI and using AI as a research tool, and identifies the obligations that universities and research organisations must meet.
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