AI Pact
European Union · Framework · European Commission
Our summary
A voluntary initiative by the European Commission designed to help organisations across sectors get ready for the AI Act's rollout. It operates through two mechanisms: a network for sharing knowledge and best practices, and a pledge system where companies commit to specific governance and transparency actions. Participants work proactively on compliance measures including AI system mapping, governance strategies, and staff training ahead of full legal requirements.
Written by the Index in our own words. It is not legal advice; the official text is the authority.
Inside this policy
Every section of this policy in order. Our notes summarise each one in plain language and do not quote the official text, which is the authority.
Drafted by the Index An automated summary of the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.
11 sections
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What is the AI Pact?
Two pillars’ approach
3 sections
The AI Pact provides an overall framework to prepare for the AI Act's implementation through two pillars: Pillar I involves gathering and exchanging knowledge with the AI Pact network, and Pillar II focuses on facilitating and communicating company pledges.
Pillar I: gathering and exchanging with the AI Pact network
This pillar is open to all types of stakeholders including companies, non-profit organisations, academics and civil servants, who contribute by sharing experiences and knowledge in a collaborative community. The AI Office organizes webinars to help participants understand the AI Act and their responsibilities, and may publish shared best practices and internal policies on an online platform.
Pillar II: facilitating and communicating company pledges
This pillar encourages organisations providing or deploying AI systems to voluntarily disclose and commit to implementing measures of the AI Act early through pledges, which are declarations of engagement containing concrete planned or ongoing actions with timelines for adoption. The AI Office regularly organises events for both pillars and participants can contact EU-AI-PACT@ec.europa.eu to adhere to the voluntary pledges.
Overall framework to prepare the AI Act’s implementation
Pillar I engages all stakeholder types through webinars on specific AI Act aspects, while Pillar II offers voluntary pledges specifically for AI system providers and deployers. By December 2025, the one-year anniversary of the AI Pact, pledgers under Pillar II had reached multiple milestones.
Voluntary Pledges
2 sections
Signature of the pledges
The AI Pact contains voluntary pledges that require participating companies to undertake at least three actions: developing an AI governance strategy, identifying and mapping high-risk AI systems, and promoting AI awareness among staff. More than half of signatory companies have also pledged additional commitments on oversight, risk mitigation, and transparency regarding AI-generated content, with participants invited to report publicly on progress after 12 months, though the pledges are not legally binding and impose no legal obligations.
What are the benefits of the voluntary pledges for participants?
The Commission supports participants in building understanding of the AI Act's objectives, taking concrete actions to prepare for implementation, sharing knowledge about safeguards to demonstrate trustworthy AI, and building trust in AI technologies. The Pact enables front-runners to test and share solutions while fostering development and deployment of trustworthy AI.
Signatories of the pledges
2 sections
Big Picture
The EU's approach to artificial intelligence aims to achieve excellence and trust by advancing research and industrial capacity while protecting safety and fundamental rights.
Dig deeper
Controls
What this policy requires, forbids, grants or penalises, one control at a time and in our own words. Each control links to the official text, which is the authority. This is not legal advice.
Drafted by the Index Drafted automatically from the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.
Themes covered 0 of 35
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Risk and scope 0 of 4
- Risk classification, not covered
- Prohibited practices, not covered
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Data and privacy 0 of 4
- Data governance and quality, not covered
- Data subject rights and consent, not covered
- Cross-border data transfer, not covered
- Copyright and training data, not covered
Transparency and records 0 of 4
- Transparency and disclosure to users, not covered
- Labelling of synthetic content, not covered
- Technical documentation, not covered
- Record keeping and logging, not covered
Technical safeguards 0 of 4
- Human oversight, not covered
- Accuracy, robustness and cybersecurity, not covered
- Bias and non-discrimination, not covered
- Testing and evaluation, not covered
Assurance and lifecycle 0 of 4
- Conformity assessment and certification, not covered
- Registration and notification, not covered
- Incident and breach reporting, not covered
- Post-market monitoring and corrective action, not covered
Rights and protected groups 0 of 4
- Automated decision-making rights, not covered
- Children and vulnerable groups, not covered
- Biometric identification and surveillance, not covered
- Whistleblowing, complaints and redress, not covered
Roles and organisation 0 of 6
- Supply chain and provider-deployer duties, not covered
- General purpose and foundation models, not covered
- Accountability and governance roles, not covered
- Training and AI literacy, not covered
- Public sector use and procurement, not covered
- Innovation support and sandboxes, not covered
Enforcement and sectors 0 of 5
- Enforcement, penalties and regulators, not covered
- Sector rules: health, not covered
- Sector rules: finance and insurance, not covered
- Sector rules: employment, not covered
- Sector rules: education, not covered
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Change history
- Official text wordingSource for this change (opens in a new tab)