⚖️Build a Mental Model of the EU AI Act's Risk Tiers
Build the four-tier mental model of the EU AI Act — unacceptable, high, limited, minimal — through worked examples, then self-classify your own product and write a one-page tier assessment you could defend to outside counsel.
Phase 1The Four-Tier Pyramid
Build the four-tier pyramid as a conceptual framework, not legal text
The AI Act isn't a rulebook — it's a pyramid
6 minThe AI Act isn't a rulebook — it's a pyramid
The 'no' list: what the EU just banned outright
7 minThe 'no' list: what the EU just banned outright
High risk = two doors into the same tier
7 minHigh risk = two doors into the same tier
The two quiet tiers: transparency or nothing
6 minThe two quiet tiers: transparency or nothing
Phase 2Classify Five Products Into Tiers
Classify five hypothetical products and defend each placement
Resume screener for a hiring platform
7 minResume screener for a hiring platform
Customer-support chatbot for an e-commerce store
6 minCustomer-support chatbot for an e-commerce store
AI-powered spam filter for a webmail provider
6 minAI-powered spam filter for a webmail provider
Wellness app that infers mood from voice journals
7 minWellness app that infers mood from voice journals
Credit-decision assistant for a small bank
7 minCredit-decision assistant for a small bank
Phase 3Obligations Follow Tier
Trace how tier choice changes documentation, oversight, and transparency
What 'technical documentation' actually means at each tier
6 minWhat 'technical documentation' actually means at each tier
What 'meaningful human oversight' actually requires
7 minWhat 'meaningful human oversight' actually requires
Transparency obligations vs. trade secrets — the line
6 minTransparency obligations vs. trade secrets — the line
What changes your tier overnight
7 minWhat changes your tier overnight
Phase 4Write a Tier Assessment You'd Defend
Write a defensible one-page tier assessment for a real product idea
Write a one-page tier assessment for a product you care about
9 minWrite a one-page tier assessment for a product you care about
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