UK-based Nigerian AI Policy Advocate Breaks Down EU AI Act for Global Developers
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act sets legal rules for AI based on four risk levels, effective 2025. UK-based Nigerian advocate breaks down these categories for global developers.

EU Artificial Intelligence Act Explained by UK-Based Nigerian AI Policy Advocate
The European Union has introduced the first legally binding regulation on artificial intelligence, known as the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. Adopted in 2024 and effective from 2025, this law establishes legal requirements for AI developers based on a four-tier risk classification system.
On June 7, 2025, the Centre of Intelligence of Things (CIoTH), affiliated with a UK university, released a clear and accessible explainer of the regulation. The summary breaks down the law’s four risk categories, providing valuable insight for AI developers worldwide.
The Four Risk Levels of the EU AI Act
- Unacceptable Risk: AI systems in this category are banned. Examples include biometric categorisation for social scoring, real-time facial recognition in public spaces, and systems designed for subliminal manipulation. The EU considers these systems incompatible with fundamental rights.
- High Risk: Permitted but subject to strict regulation. This includes AI used in credit scoring, recruitment, border control, biometric identification, educational scoring, and law enforcement. Developers must maintain detailed documentation, pass conformity assessments, ensure human oversight, and prove that training data is accurate, unbiased, and explainable.
- Limited Risk: Allowed with minimal restrictions. Transparency is required, meaning users must be informed when interacting with AI systems. Examples are chatbots and synthetic voice agents.
- Minimal Risk: AI tools such as email spam filters, video game AI, and basic recommendation engines fall here. These require no additional legal obligations.
The explainer emphasizes that AI developers outside Europe—whether in Africa, Asia, or the Americas—must consider the EU AI Act if their systems are used within the European market. This is particularly relevant for startups and software engineers who may not operate under European regulatory frameworks but whose products reach EU users.
This public resource aims to bridge knowledge gaps for those building AI systems that now fall into a regulated legal environment. It supports global awareness of the legal implications tied to AI development and deployment.
Context and Relevance
The author of the explainer is a UK-based Nigerian infrastructure professional and AI policy advocate with experience in AI governance and education. Their work includes producing policy-literacy guides for educators and developers, contributing to conferences, and advising on inclusive AI practices. The endorsement by CIoTH represents a notable example of academic collaboration in AI regulation awareness beyond European and US institutions.
For legal and management professionals involved in AI, understanding the EU AI Act’s classifications and obligations is essential. Compliance will have significant implications for AI products and services offered in or affecting the European market.
To explore the full text of the EU AI Act and related documents, visit the official EU legislation portal.
For those seeking practical training and courses on AI compliance and development, resources are available at Complete AI Training.