The European Council has approved the groundbreaking AI Act, set to take effect next month.

Member states, including Germany, must implement the law into national legislation within a year.

Digital Minister Volker Wissing aims to prioritize innovation with initiatives like 'Mission KI' and leveraging existing structures such as the Bundesnetzagentur as the national AI authority.

Experts recommend a centralized oversight approach to reduce bureaucratic burden.

Concerns exist regarding the effectiveness of initiatives like 'Sandboxes' in driving AI advancements.

The true impact of the AI Act on European innovation will be clearer once it is published and enforced.

Civil society and the open-source community are crucial for the successful implementation and enforcement of these regulations.