Compliance Playbook for SMEs under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) is no longer a future consideration, it is now being applied across Europe, with new obligations for high-risk AI systems which could apply soon, depending on the approval process of the recent AI Omnibus proposal. For SMEs, the AIA reshapes how AI is developed, integrated, and commercialized. It affects product design and deployment, the use of third-party AI tools, contractual structures, and the way legal and operational risks are managed across the business.
At the same time, this shift creates a clear opportunity. SMEs that take a structured, proactive approach to compliance can turn it into a competitive differentiator. In a market where customers and partners are increasingly attentive to AI risk, demonstrating credible compliance becomes a powerful signal of trust, one that strengthens positioning in sales, partnerships, and procurement.
Join this expert-led webinar to gain a clear, operational understanding of how the AIA applies to your business and what concrete steps you need to take next. The session focuses on practical interpretation and implementation, helping you correctly classify your AI use cases, understand your role and exposure, and put in place a lean, SME-appropriate compliance model. You will also learn how to translate regulatory requirements into a credible business asset, positioning your company as a trustworthy and future-ready partner in an increasingly regulated AI market.
This session is reserved for DIGITAL SME members. External participants can join for a fee of €249 (excl. VAT).
Become a member to access exclusive content, including event slides and recordings, as well as free access to future events. Not a member yet? Check out the membership options here!
Why join:
- Understand how the AI Act classifies your AI use cases and hear experiences from companies on the ground.
- Get clarity on timelines, especially in light of the AI Omnibus proposal, so you know what’s urgent and what you can plan for.
- Learn how to build a lean, proportionate compliance model designed for SMEs.
- Discover how to turn AI Act compliance into a competitive advantage in sales, partnerships, and procurement conversations.
- Walk away with concrete next steps you can act on immediately, not just theory.
Agenda
14:00 - 14:05
Welcome and Introduction
- Loredana Bucseneanu, Artificial Intelligence Project Manager and co-coordinator of the Focus Group AI, European DIGITAL SME Alliance
14:05 - 14:20
AI Act in plain English, but legally accurate
- Emilia Tantar, PhD, Chief AI Officer & Head of Luxembourg Cybersecurity Factory, Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity
An overview of the EU AI Act covering scope, enforcement logic, and who is regulated. This section will break down risk categories and what they mean for typical SME use cases, outline the key obligations (from documentation to human oversight), and highlight implementation timelines and what to expect from the upcoming AI Omnibus Package.
14:20 - 14:50
Building a Lean Compliance Architecture
- Kevin Schawinski, Co-Founder and CEO, Modulos
A practical framework for structuring AI compliance within SME constraints. This intervention covers governance and ownership, essential documentation, vendor and third-party risk management, and core operational requirements such as monitoring, audit readiness, and human oversight – while showing how to scale compliance efficiently and turn it into a trust advantage.
14:50 - 15:15
SMEs Compliance in Action
- Dr. Carolin Gütschow, Director Legal, Parloa
- Xavier Lombard, CEO and Co-Founder, Leexi.ai
Real-world examples of how SMEs are putting AI compliance into practice, showcasing concrete processes, governance structures, and operational measures, and demonstrating how these initiatives not only ensure regulatory alignment but also create trust with customers, enhance partnerships, and unlock new opportunities for business growth.
15:15 - 15:30
Q&A session and closing remarks
Featured companies
Modulos
A practical framework for structuring AI compliance within SME constraints. We cover governance and ownership, essential documentation, vendor and third-party risk management, and core operational requirements such as monitoring, audit readiness, and human oversight – while showing how to scale compliance efficiently and turn it into a trust advantage.
Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity
An overview of the EU AI Act covering scope, enforcement logic, and who is regulated. We break down risk categories and what they mean for typical SME use cases, outline the key obligations (from documentation to human oversight), and highlight implementation timelines and what to expect from the upcoming AI Omnibus Package.
Parloa
Real-world examples of how SMEs are putting AI compliance into practice, showcasing concrete processes, governance structures, and operational measures, and demonstrating how these initiatives not only ensure regulatory alignment but also create trust with customers, enhance partnerships, and unlock new opportunities for business growth.
