European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) since its implementation began in March 2025, detailing its transition into an operational reality.

It outlines the risk-based regulatory framework, which categorizes AI systems from unacceptable to minimal risk, and highlights the crucial August 2025 milestone that activated rules for General-Purpose AI (GPAI) models and established the new governance bodies, including the European AI Office.

Furthermore, the text examines the multi-layered enforcement architecture, which coordinates the central AI Office with national competent authorities, using Italy's pioneering complementary law as a case study.

Finally, it contrasts the EU’s rights-based approach, which is driving a global "Brussels Effect," with the more fragmented, pro-innovation stance in the United States and China's state-directed, control-oriented "AI+" initiative.