This course offers a critical overview of the newly adopted EU Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation 2024/1689). It examines the regulation’s structure, objectives, and key concepts, as well as its material and territorial scope. The course explores underlying principles such as fairness, transparency, and accountability, and analyzes prohibited AI practices and the regulation of high-risk and general-purpose AI systems. It also addresses transparency obligations, certification, supervision, and sanctions. Finally, the course reflects on the regulation’s complexity and its potential impact on responsible AI innovation in the EU and beyond.