{"id":27677,"date":"2026-05-20T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebrokernews.ch\/?p=27677"},"modified":"2026-05-13T08:22:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T06:22:43","slug":"eu-ai-act-why-companies-need-to-act-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebrokernews.ch\/en\/eu-ai-act-why-companies-need-to-act-now\/","title":{"rendered":"EU AI Act: Why companies need to act now"},"content":{"rendered":"
EU AI Act: Swiss companies also affected. Image: AI-generated. <\/span><\/div>\n\n

Artificial intelligence has long been part of business operations, but with the EU AI Act it is also becoming a legal minefield. Anyone using AI is no longer just faced with technological decisions, but also strategic and regulatory ones. An online event organized by the Swiss Future Institute<\/a> with leading experts shows that compliance is no longer a side issue, but a top priority <\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

What was long considered a technology of the future is now part of everyday life: AI controls processes, analyzes data and makes preliminary decisions. This is precisely where the EU AI Act<\/a> comes in. As Baker McKenzie<\/a> partner Eva-Maria Strobel emphasized, it is no longer about hypothetical scenarios, but about concrete business risks. <\/p>\n\n

Even without specific AI legislation, regulations such as data protection, product liability and anti-discrimination already applied. The EU AI Act exacerbates this situation by creating a comprehensive, binding set of rules for the first time. <\/p>\n\n

The centerpiece: the risk-based approach<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n

A clearly structured risk model is at the heart of regulation. AI systems are assessed according to the extent to which they affect people, society and fundamental rights. <\/p>\n\n

At the top of the list are prohibited applications, such as manipulative systems or social scoring. These are followed by so-called high-risk systems in recruiting, lending or healthcare. These are permitted but strictly regulated. <\/p>\n\n

For companies, this means that anyone using AI in sensitive areas must meet extensive requirements ranging from risk management and data quality to human control and documentation.<\/p>\n\n

Compliance becomes a strategic issue<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n

The potential sanctions are considerable. Violations can be penalized with up to 35 million euros or 7 percent of global annual turnover and are comparable or even stricter than the GDPR. <\/p>\n\n

This makes AI compliance a task at board level. It can no longer be delegated to IT departments. At the same time, it opens up opportunities: companies that meet regulatory requirements create trust and become an increasingly decisive competitive factor. <\/p>\n\n

Global differences, common direction<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n

While the EU relies on binding rules, other regions take different approaches. Flexible guidelines dominate in Asia, while the USA has a fragmented system at individual state level. <\/p>\n\n

Despite these differences, there are signs of convergence: Transparency, accountability and risk management are becoming the global standard. For internationally active companies, this means that AI strategies must be considered globally. <\/p>\n\n

Extraterritorial effect: Swiss companies also affected<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n

Particularly relevant for companies in Switzerland: the EU AI Act does not only apply within the EU. As soon as an AI system is used in the European market, the regulations also apply regardless of where the company is based. <\/p>\n\n

Switzerland <\/a>itself is pursuing a more cautious, principles-based approach without a comprehensive AI law. Nevertheless, regulation here is also moving towards greater control, particularly with regard to data protection and transparency. <\/p>\n\n

Data and contracts become the core problem<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n

A key risk lies in the handling of data. Companies need to know exactly who decides on data processing and whether providers use this data further, for example to train models. <\/p>\n\n

As soon as providers use data independently, the legal distribution of roles changes with direct consequences for liability and compliance. Clear contracts and data processing agreements are therefore essential. <\/p>\n\n

Copyright: The next legal front<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n

In addition to data protection, the focus is shifting to copyright. Current court cases show how differently countries deal with AI training. <\/p>\n\n

While a British court ruled in the Getty Images case that training data does not constitute copyright infringement if no copies are stored in the model, a German court ruled much more strictly in the GEMA v. OpenAI case: even the “memorization” of content can be considered an infringement.<\/p>\n\n

This divergence increases uncertainty and forces companies to carefully check and document their data sources.<\/p>\n\n

Governance instead of tool focus<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n

The most important insight from the webinar: it’s not primarily about individual AI tools, but about governance structures.<\/p>\n\n

Companies need to clarify who approves AI projects, how risks are assessed and which control mechanisms are in place. Compliance will hardly be possible without clear processes and documentation. <\/p>\n\n

Prepare now: don’t react later<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n

Even if individual regulations are postponed, the direction is clear. The EU AI Act is coming and with it a new regulatory era for artificial intelligence. <\/p>\n\n

Companies should use the remaining time to review their systems, data flows and governance structures. Because one thing is clear: anyone who uses AI bears legal and strategic responsibility. <\/p>\n\n

Binci Heeb<\/p>\n\n

Read also: How artificial intelligence is redistributing power, margin and morale in the insurance industry<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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