More than a hundred companies have signed the EU’s AI Pact pledging to use AI responsibly, but while Amazon, Google, Microsoft and OpenAI are among them, Apple and Meta have snubbed the initiative.

Pact signatories agree on a set of voluntary commitments about how to use the burgeoning technology. This includes three ‘core actions’ they should adhere to, such as developing an AI governance strategy, identifying AI systems likely to be categorised as high-risk and promoting AI literacy and awareness among staff to ensure ethical and responsible development.

The pact is a precursor of sorts to the EU’s AI Act that entered into force across all 27 EU member states on 1 August 2024, although enforcement actions for the majority of its provisions will not commence until August 2026.

The AI Act aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI within the EU and categorises AI systems based on their risk levels: minimal, limited, high and unacceptable.

Minimal risk systems, such as...