EU creates Brussels team to police AI risks

The European Union rolled out a new Brussels-based team to rein in AI companies worldwide as its AI Act comes into force on Sunday. The bloc plans to monitor AI models for violations involving sexually explicit material, fake photos and videos, and cyber threats to public infrastructure. AI companies will also be required to tell consumers through labels or digital watermarks when chatbots or imagery are generated with AI.

The European Commission said the rules also cover “systemic risks” such as “chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents, loss of control, cyber offense, harmful manipulation and threats to fundamental rights.” The EU is expanding its AI Office with an additional 38 people and says companies including OpenAI and DeepSeek must document certain information, while investigators can interview AI company staff. Brussels has also launched confidential whistleblower and compliance tools for tech workers and users.

Companies that break the AI Act can face fines or lose access to the EU market. The move fits into the 27-nation EU’s tech sovereignty strategy, which combines landmark digital regulations, billions of euros in fines on Big Tech, and new investment in AI infrastructure as Europe tries to reduce reliance on the U.S. and China.