European regulation on artificial intelligence: what Swiss companies need to know
- Elise Dejour
- Aug 22
- 3 min read
The European Union adopted the EU AI Act in 2024, it is the first comprehensive legal framework on artificial intelligence. This regulation does not only concern large companies or EU member countries: Swiss SMEs that use or develop AI, or even work with partners in Europe, are also concerned.
The European regulation
1. The EU AI Act: what is it exactly?
The EU AI Act, or European Regulation on Artificial Intelligence, is the first global regulatory framework dedicated to AI. It aims to establish clear rules around the use of artificial intelligence, classifying systems according to their level of risk.
The EU AI Act therefore governs the development, deployment, and also the use of artificial intelligence. Its objective is twofold:
Stimulate responsible innovation,
Protect European citizens against the abuses of certain risky uses.
This legislation is based on 4 levels of risk for AI applications:
Minimal risk: chatbots and automatic recommendations.
Limited risk: marketing scoring.
High risk: AI used in sensitive sectors such as: recruitment, finance, health, etc.
Prohibition: the AI used for mass surveillance systems.
2. Why does it getting ?
Faced with the rise in power of generative and predictive AI tools, the European institutions wanted to take the lead by imposing a framework to regulate these technologies and avoid abuse (discrimination, manipulation, opacity of algorithms, etc.). The EU AI Act therefore aims to build trust in AI, protect users and promote a safer digital.
3. Is the EU AI Act applicable in Switzerland?
No, Switzerland is not subject to the EU AI Act, but Swiss companies working with clients or partners in Europe will have to comply if they:
Use AI systems classified as risky.
Provide or integrate AI systems in the European market.
Work in critical sectors such as health, finance, transport, etc.
In other words, ignoring the EU AI Act is not an option for internationally oriented Swiss companies.
AI and compliance: Microsoft’s proactive approach
1. AI is not just for big business
Many companies still wrongly imagine that artificial intelligence does not concern them. Yet, Microsoft tools like Dynamics 365 or Power Platform already integrate AI, via Copilot, Microsoft’s AI. These solutions allow companies to automate, analyze and even anticipate, without needing advanced technical skills.
Some examples:
In the CRM, you can automatically generate examples of email follow-ups in Dynamics 365 Sales.
In Power BI, you can see the analysis of business performance thanks to Copilot.
And on the marketing side, you have smart suggestions in project management.
In the Business Centra ERP, AI allows you to predict your sales and anticipate your orders
AI is already there, present in our daily lives. Well integrated, it is there to facilitate time-consuming tasks.
2. Do Microsoft software comply with European regulations on artificial intelligence?
Yes, the Copilot AI that is used in Microsoft software complies with the EU AI Act.
“Microsoft is committed to designing products and solutions that comply with EU AI law, and to helping its customers use AI in a compliant manner. We work closely with decision-makers"
Microsoft collaborates with the competent authorities in order to establish a fair regulation: exchange of experience, technical questions, feasibility.
3. An actor ahead: Microsoft face to DORA
Même si le EU AI Act concerne particulièrement l’IA, il s’inscrit dans un paysage réglementaire européen plus large. Dans ce paysage, on retrouve le règlement DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act), qui est destiné à renforcer la résilience numérique des services financiers. Microsoft a été parmi les premiers à anticiper cette évolution, notamment avec :
Microsoft Defender for Cloud qui est réglementaire au vu du cadre imposé par le règlement DORA, permettant aux entreprises de surveiller leur conformité, de renforcer la gestion des risques TIC et de réagir aux incidents en temps réel.
And with Microsoft Entra ID (former Azure AD), Purview and Compliance Manager, organizations have solutions to structure their governance, control access and monitor compliance, which is mandatory under the DORA regulation.
Microsoft does not only offer tools: it structures a real approach to compliance, in line with European regulatory standards. It is a guarantee of quality for companies, including SMEs that wish to integrate AI (via Copilot or others) into their business while respecting the most current regulatory obligations.
What to do as a Swiss company?
✅ Audit the tools and AI use cases already present.
✅ Assess risks according to regulation classification.
✅ Choose suppliers (like Microsoft) that are compliant and transparent.
✅ Get support in integrating ethical smart tools.
Our role at Almakom? Support you
At Almakom, we support Swiss companies in the integration of Microsoft tools with embedded AI, taking into account their industry, European exposure and regulatory obligations. We help you benefit from AI, in full compliance and with pragmatism.
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