AI Pact
In plain wordsA voluntary European Commission scheme in which companies pledge to start following the EU AI Act's main ideas early, before the rules legally apply to them.
A voluntary initiative of the European Commission, run by the AI OfficeAI Office, prop. n.: The European Commission's team that oversees the EU AI Act, especially the rules for the largest AI models, and coordinates how the law is applied across Europe., that encourages organizations to prepare for the EU AI ActEU AI Act, prop. n.: The European Union's law on artificial intelligence, the first broad AI law anywhere: it bans some uses, sets strict checks for risky ones and puts duties on the makers of the biggest AI models. ahead of its application dates. It has two strands: a network for exchanging experience and good practice through workshops and webinars, and voluntary pledges. Core pledges commit signatories to adopt an AI governance strategy, to map AI systems likely to be high-riskhigh-risk AI system, n.: Under EU law, an AI system used where mistakes could seriously hurt people's safety or rights — in hiring, schooling, loans, policing, borders or products like medical devices — and which must therefore pass strict checks. in their organizations, and to promote AI literacy among staff; further optional pledges cover human oversight, risk mitigation and labeling of AI-generated content.
Signing the AI Pact pledges pushed us to build an inventory of our AI systems a year early.
Origin
Announced by the Commission in 2023, while the AI Act was still being negotiated; more than 100 companies signed the first pledges in September 2024, while some large technology firms, including Meta, declined.
Usage note
Pledges are not legally binding and are self-reported. Not to be confused with the General-Purpose AI Code of PracticeGeneral-Purpose AI Code of Practice, prop. n.: A voluntary rulebook, published by the EU in 2025, that makers of large AI models can sign to show they follow the EU AI Act's rules on transparency, copyright and safety., which has a formal role under the Act.
Related
- EU AI ActEU AI Act, prop. n.: The European Union's law on artificial intelligence, the first broad AI law anywhere: it bans some uses, sets strict checks for risky ones and puts duties on the makers of the biggest AI models.
- AI OfficeAI Office, prop. n.: The European Commission's team that oversees the EU AI Act, especially the rules for the largest AI models, and coordinates how the law is applied across Europe.
- General-Purpose AI Code of PracticeGeneral-Purpose AI Code of Practice, prop. n.: A voluntary rulebook, published by the EU in 2025, that makers of large AI models can sign to show they follow the EU AI Act's rules on transparency, copyright and safety.
- AI governanceAI governance, n.: The rules, institutions and habits that shape how AI is built and used — from laws and treaties to technical standards and a company's own review processes.