Regulation & Policy

3 milestones in AI history

First AI Winter (1970–1979)

1973

The Lighthill Report

British mathematician James Lighthill published a devastating critique of AI research, concluding that the field had failed to deliver on its promises. 'In no part of the field have the discoveries made so far produced the major impact that was then promised.' The report led to massive funding cuts for AI research in the UK.

James LighthillUK Science Research Council

Generative AI Revolution (2022–2024)

2024.03

EU AI Act: First Major AI Regulation

The European Parliament approved the AI Act, the world's first comprehensive AI regulation. It established a risk-based framework: banning 'unacceptable risk' AI (social scoring, indiscriminate surveillance), heavily regulating 'high risk' applications, and requiring transparency for generative AI.

European Union

The Agentic Era (2025–2026)

2026.08

EU AI Act Enforcement Begins — With Delays

The EU AI Act's Article 50 transparency duties — chatbot disclosure, AI-content marking, and deepfake labeling — became enforceable, and the European Commission's enforcement powers over general-purpose AI providers activated. But the milestone arrived reshaped: on June 16, 2026, the European Parliament approved 'Digital Omnibus' amendments deferring most high-risk system obligations to December 2027 and August 2028 after intense industry and member-state pressure.