Brussels Effect | Does the EU AI Act apply to UK employers? What HR needs to know

Most of the remaining provisions of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) excluding those under Article 6(1) and correlate obligations under Article 113, have been in effect as of 2 August 2026. 

So does the EU AI Act apply to UK employers? In short, yes.

Although the UK is not a member state, the EU AI Act applies to UK employers who hire EU-based candidates, employ staff in the EU, or use HR vendors serving EU clients.

As such, HR must be aware of the impact the Act will have on their current tech stacks and compliance obligations, lest they open themselves up to litigation.