Article 3(1) of the EU AI Act defines an AI system as a machine-based system designed to operate with varying levels of autonomy. Crucially, it infers from input data how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments.

A General Purpose AI model, or GPAI model, is trained on broad data at scale and displays significant generality, making it capable of competently performing a wide range of distinct tasks. Unlike a fully deployed AI system, a GPAI model requires downstream system integration into software or interfaces before becoming an end-user product.

The EU AI Act assigns legal duties based on supply chain roles. A Provider is an entity that develops an AI system or GPAI model, or has one developed, and places it on the market under its own name. A Deployer is any professional user, business, or public entity using an AI system under its authority, excluding personal non-professional use.