Standards Comparison

    EU AI Act

    Mandatory
    2024

    EU regulation for risk-based AI safety and governance

    VS

    Basel III

    Mandatory
    2010

    Global framework for bank capital, leverage, liquidity standards

    Quick Verdict

    EU AI Act regulates high-risk AI systems EU-wide via conformity and transparency, while Basel III mandates bank capital, leverage and liquidity globally. Companies adopt AI Act for market access, Basel for prudential resilience and supervisory compliance.

    Artificial Intelligence

    EU AI Act

    Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 Artificial Intelligence Act

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based four-tier AI classification framework
    • Prohibits unacceptable-risk AI practices outright
    • High-risk systems require conformity assessment, CE marking
    • General-purpose AI models face dedicated obligations
    • Phased implementation over 6-36 months timeline
    Financial Risk Management

    Basel III

    Basel III: international regulatory framework for banks

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • 4.5% CET1 minimum capital ratio with quality focus
    • 3% non-risk-based leverage ratio backstop
    • Liquidity Coverage Ratio for 30-day stress survival
    • Net Stable Funding Ratio for one-year resilience
    • Capital buffers with automatic distribution constraints

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    EU AI Act Details

    What It Is

    Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, the EU AI Act, is a comprehensive horizontal regulation establishing risk-based rules for AI systems. Its primary purpose is to ensure AI safety, transparency, and fundamental rights protection across sectors, applying to providers and deployers in the EU or using outputs there. Key approach: four-tier risk classification (unacceptable, high, limited, minimal).

    Key Components

    • Prohibited practices (Chapter II), high-risk requirements (Chapter III: risk management, data governance, documentation, oversight, cybersecurity), transparency duties (Chapter IV), GPAI obligations (Chapter V).
    • Over 100 articles with lifecycle controls, conformity assessments, CE marking.
    • Built on product-safety principles; presumption of conformity via harmonized standards.
    • Hybrid enforcement: AI Office, national authorities.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandated for in-scope AI to avoid fines up to 7% global turnover. Drives risk management, market access, trust in high-stakes sectors like healthcare, finance. Enhances product quality, vendor compliance, global competitiveness via "Brussels Effect".

    Implementation Overview

    Phased rollout (6-36 months); inventory AI assets, classify risks, build RMS/QMS, conduct assessments, register systems. Applies universally to AI value chain; high-resource for high-risk. No central certification but notified bodies for assessments.

    Basel III Details

    What It Is

    Basel III is the international regulatory framework developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) post-global financial crisis. This prudential standard strengthens bank resilience by enhancing capital quality and quantity, introducing leverage constraints, and mandating liquidity buffers. Its risk-based approach combines risk-weighted assets (RWA) metrics with non-risk-based backstops.

    Key Components

    • **Three PillarsPillar 1 (capital, leverage, liquidity ratios), Pillar 2 (supervisory review/ICAAP), Pillar 3 (disclosures).
    • Core ratios: CET1 4.5%, Tier 1 6%, Total Capital 8%, plus buffers (2.5% CCB, CCyB, G-SIB); Leverage 3%; LCR/NSFR 100%.
    • Built on revised RWA methods, output floor, standardized approaches; compliance via national implementation, no central certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Banks adopt for mandatory regulatory compliance in most jurisdictions, reducing crisis vulnerabilities, constraining leverage, improving liquidity. Benefits include enhanced resilience, better risk comparability, strategic balance-sheet optimization, investor trust via disclosures.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased enterprise transformation: gap analysis, data/system upgrades, governance, training. Targets internationally active banks globally; involves QIS, parallel runs, ongoing supervisory engagement.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    EU AI Act
    AI systems by risk tiers across lifecycle
    Basel III
    Bank capital, leverage, liquidity standards

    Industry

    EU AI Act
    All sectors using AI in EU
    Basel III
    Banking and financial institutions globally

    Nature

    EU AI Act
    Mandatory EU regulation with conformity
    Basel III
    Global prudential standards implemented nationally

    Testing

    EU AI Act
    Conformity assessments, notified bodies
    Basel III
    Stress tests, ICAAP, supervisory review

    Penalties

    EU AI Act
    Up to 7% global turnover fines
    Basel III
    Capital add-ons, business restrictions, fines

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about EU AI Act and Basel III

    EU AI Act FAQ

    Basel III FAQ

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