Brussels gains new enforcement powers under the AI Act, autonomous AI tests regulators

From August 2, the European Commission can formally enforce against general-purpose AI (GPAI) model providers, including investigations, corrective orders, and fines; on the same day, new transparency obligations apply. The transparency rules require providers to embed detectable technical markers in AI text, audio, images, and video; deployers must add labels and inform about the use of emotion recognition or biometric categorization systems; three icons are voluntary. Exemptions cover obvious AI interactions, works clearly artistic or satirical, and purely personal non-professional use; systems already on the market have a grace period until December 2. The GPAI Code of Practice was signed by Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, Mistral AI, and OpenAI; X signed only the safety and security chapter, and Meta did not sign. The AI Office currently has 145 staff; the Commission proposes adding 38 more, subject to the 2027 budget procedure; fines for violations can reach up to €15 million or 3% of global annual turnover.