Building trust and resilience on a GPAI Code foundation
If the EU AI Act set the rules of the road for responsible AI in Europe, the General-Purpose AI (GPAI) Code of Practice is the GPS system that tells you how to get there—and makes the journey more predictable, credible, and resilient.
And with the Code’s formal adoption slated for August 1, 2025, now is the time for every AI provider and downstream actor to take notice.
The GPAI Code of Practice: The Smart Next Step for Responsible AI
Deployers and distributors of AI systems have a direct stake in signing up for the GPAI Code of Practice. As we discovered in my last post, it’s not enough to simply source AI models from third parties. The EU AI Act makes all downstream actors collectively responsible for ensuring transparency, risk management, and ethical use of AI.
Signing onto the Code signals to regulators, customers, and partners that you are committed to the highest standards of compliance, due diligence, and trust.
It also guarantees exceptional access to robust documentation and guidance from model providers, which can be critical for meeting your own legal duties and earning the “good faith” protections offered during the initial implementation period. In a space where accountability is quickly becoming a non-negotiable, aligning early with the Code isn’t just smart—it’s essential for operational resilience and future growth.
Building on the EU AI Act: What Comes Next for AI Providers
The EU’s Code of Practice is not just another voluntary framework. It’s the practical, community-developed playbook for complying with complex new obligations under the AI Act, especially for those creating, distributing, or integrating large AI models in their own products. U.S. and global organizations looking to do business in or with Europe (and increasingly, the rest of the world) would be wise to embrace the Code early.
Why the GPAI Code Is a Smart Move Beyond Europe
Early Adoption = Presumption of Compliance: Signing on to the GPAI Code grants organizations a presumption of conformity under the EU AI Act. In simple terms: follow the Code in good faith, and regulators will treat you as compliant, even as you iron out the rough edges during the first year.
Legal Certainty and Reduced Risk: The Code lays out a clear, structured route for meeting the Act’s requirements around transparency, documentation, and copyright. No need to guess or gamble. Just follow the established blueprint.
A Practical On-Ramp for Global Standards: Other jurisdictions are watching, and they should be. The Code is the reference point for responsible AI practices in an era when AI governance is fast becoming a recognized issue around AI. Early alignment signals seriousness to partners, investors, and customers well beyond Europe.
Supports Trust, Innovation, and Market Access: Transparent, safe, and rights-respecting AI is now a baseline expectation for doing business in Europe’s digital economy. The Code of Practice isn’t just about avoiding sanctions—it’s about unlocking markets and building lasting trust
What the GPAI Code of Practice Covers
The Code has three key chapters, each with clear guidance for providers and those relying on GPAI models:
1. Transparency
Model Documentation: A standardized form with 40+ required metadata fields details a model’s origins, design, training data, capabilities, and risk boundaries. Try it for yourselves. It’s a new standard for best-of-breed transparency. (Paradoxically, you don’t have to publish it, but you’d have it handy when questions arise.)
Public Summaries: Providers must summarize the types of data and content used to train their models, increasing accountability and illuminating possible bias or ethical issues.
2. Copyright Compliance
Lawful Use Mandated: Clear policies for sourcing training data within EU copyright law, with explicit controls for respecting rights reservations and tracing content provenance.
Output Safeguards: Safeguards to prevent generation of infringing or unauthorized content, protecting both the provider and downstream users.
3. Safety and Security (For High-Impact Models)
Risk Assessments: Stringent impact and cybersecurity reviews for models deemed to present “systemic risk.”
Incident Reporting and Mitigation: Protocols for reporting serious incidents and mitigating harms over the model lifecycle.
What Happens August 1?
August 1, 2025: GPAI Code of Practice is in force. The core GPAI model provider obligations of the AI Act also come into effect from August 2, 2025.
First-Year Grace Period: Organizations that sign the Code are presumed acting in good faith for the first year, allowing time to fully adapt without fear of immediate enforcement—a major incentive for early movers.
2026–2027: Broader obligations take formal effect for already marketed models, while adherence to the Code continues to signal responsible practice and reduces scrutiny.
Take the Smart Path Forward
Complying with the AI Act is no longer optional if you serve, influence, or even touch the European digital economy. More importantly, the GPAI Code of Practice is the map and toolkit for responsible adoption. Early adoption buys time, reduces risk, and builds a foundation of trust—both with regulators and with the market.
For edtech, healthtech, finance, or any sector deploying AI: the sooner you embrace the Code, the better positioned you’ll be for trustworthy AI at scale. Build your foundation on published standards to ensure your organization is ready to lead.
Ready to take the next step? Review your provider partnerships, audit your documentation, and make the GPAI Code part of your responsible AI practices.
Resources from AIGG on your AI Journey
Is your organization ready to navigate the complexities of AI and build trust with confidence?
At AIGG, we understand that adopting AI isn’t just about the technology—it’s about doing so responsibly, ethically, and with a focus on protecting privacy while building trust. We’ve been through business transformations before, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Whether you’re an edtech organization, school district, government agency, other nonprofit or business, our team of expert guides—including attorneys, anthropologists, data scientists, and business leaders—can help you craft programs and practices that align with your goals and values. We’ll also equip you with the knowledge and tools to build your team’s literacy, your responsible practices, TOS review playbooks, guidelines, and guardrails as you leverage AI in your products and services.
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