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The EU AI Act reaches a critical enforcement milestone on August 2, 2026, when the European Commission's AI Office gains full supervisory and enforcement powers over general-purpose AI (GPAI) model providers. While GPAI provider obligations technically began on August 2, 2025, the AI Office could only invite informal collaboration until this date. Starting August 2, 2026, the AI Office can request information, order model recalls, mandate compliance modifications, and impose penalties for non-compliance. This marks the transition from voluntary guidance to legally binding enforcement under Regulation 2024/1689. High-risk AI system requirements also begin phasing in from this date, with full applicability of most AI Act provisions by August 2027. European Commission Digital Strategy reported the core details. EU Artificial Intelligence Act noted additional context. EU AI Act GPAI Guidelines added corroborating details.