Recitals Overview¶
About the Recitals¶
The EU AI Act includes 138 recitals that provide essential context for interpreting the regulation. Recitals explain the legislative intent, policy objectives, and reasoning behind specific provisions.
Legal Weight of Recitals
While recitals are not legally binding provisions, they are crucial for:
- Interpretation - Courts and authorities use recitals to understand legislative intent
- Context - Recitals explain the problem each provision addresses
- Guidance - Recitals clarify ambiguous terms and concepts
- Policy objectives - Recitals articulate the regulation's goals
Browse by Theme¶
🎯 General Provisions & Objectives (1-25)¶
Foundational recitals explaining the AI Act's purpose, scope, and relationship with other EU law.
Key themes:
- Internal market harmonization
- Fundamental rights protection
- Innovation support
- International competitiveness
🚫 Prohibited AI Practices (26-32)¶
Explains why certain AI practices are prohibited and the risks they pose.
Key themes: - Manipulation and deception - Exploitation of vulnerabilities - Social scoring - Biometric identification
⚠️ High-Risk AI Systems (33-85)¶
Detailed explanation of high-risk classification and requirements.
Key themes: - Risk-based approach - Classification criteria - Obligations for high-risk systems - Conformity assessment
🤖 General-Purpose AI (86-110)¶
Specific considerations for foundation models and general-purpose AI.
Key themes: - GPAI model obligations - Systemic risk - Transparency requirements - Value chain responsibilities
🏛️ Governance & Enforcement (111-138)¶
Framework for implementation, supervision, and enforcement.
Key themes: - AI Office and AI Board - National authorities - Market surveillance - Penalties and sanctions
All Recitals¶
Click to expand complete list of all 138 recitals
### Recitals 1-20 - [Recital (1) - Purpose and scope](recital-001.md) - [Recital (2) - Union values](recital-002.md) - [Recital (3) - Market fragmentation](recital-003.md) - [Recital (4) - AI benefits](recital-004.md) - [Recital (5) - AI risks](recital-005.md) - [Recital (6) - Human-centric AI](recital-006.md) - [Recital (7) - High-risk systems](recital-007.md) - [Recital (8) - Union legal framework](recital-008.md) - [Recital (9) - New Legislative Framework](recital-009.md) - [Recital (10) - Data protection](recital-010.md) - [Recital (11) through (20)](recital-011.md) - Continue through list ### Recitals 21-40 [Continue with organized list...] ### Recitals 41-60 [Continue with organized list...] ### Recitals 61-80 [Continue with organized list...] ### Recitals 81-100 [Continue with organized list...] ### Recitals 101-120 [Continue with organized list...] ### Recitals 121-138 [Continue with organized list...]Most Referenced Recitals¶
These recitals are frequently cited in the articles and provide key interpretive guidance:
| Recital | Topic | Referenced by |
|---|---|---|
| Recital (1) | Purpose of the regulation | Articles 1, 2, 6 |
| Recital (6) | Human-centric AI | Articles 1, 9, 13 |
| Recital (33) | High-risk definition | Articles 6, 7, 8 |
| Recital (60) | Risk management | Article 9 |
| Recital (86) | General-purpose AI | Articles 53-56 |
How to Use the Recitals¶
For Legal Interpretation¶
When interpreting an article:
- Check which recitals are referenced in the article
- Read those recitals for legislative intent
- Look for related recitals on the same topic
- Consider the recital's context in the overall regulation
For Compliance¶
Recitals help understand:
- Why a requirement exists
- What problem it aims to solve
- How broadly to interpret terms
- What flexibility might exist in implementation
For Policy Analysis¶
Recitals reveal:
- Policy trade-offs made by legislators
- Concerns that shaped the regulation
- Relationship to other EU policies
- Future regulatory directions
Search All Recitals¶
Use the search bar at the top of this site to find:
- Specific terms or concepts
- References to other regulations
- Policy objectives
- Technical definitions
Navigation¶
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Pro Tip
When researching an article, always read its supporting recitals. They often provide crucial context not found in the article text itself.