As the European Union’s AI Act sets its sights on 2026 to take full effect, experts are concerned other key jurisdictions—including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and China—might introduce divergent legislation that treats artificial intelligence use differently, thus making it difficult for companies to ensure compliance.

This is an especially daunting prospect, said Alastair Paterson, chief executive officer of AI tech firm Harmonic Security, considering the current AI regulation landscape of “nice words but zero penalties” is “set to change—and fast.”

Neil Hodge is a freelance business journalist and photographer based in Nottingham, United Kingdom. He writes on insurance and risk management, corporate governance, internal audit, compliance, and legal...