Deployer

What is a Deployer under the AI Act?

Under the AI Act, a Deployer is a person or organization that professionally uses an AI system under its own responsibility—for example, a company that uses a purchased AI system in its business operations. A company may simultaneously be both the Deployer and the Provider of the same AI system.

Which obligations are associated with this role

The AI Act imposes different obligations on Deployers than on Providers. These include, among others, using the AI system in accordance with its intended purpose, ensuring human oversight for High-Risk AI, and complying with transparency obligations toward affected persons. The private, non-professional use of an AI system is not subject to the obligations of a Deployer.

Practical significance

The distinction between Provider and Deployer determines which specific obligations apply to a company when using an AI system. A company may perform both roles at the same time—for example, when it substantially modifies a purchased model and subsequently places the adapted AI system on the market or puts it into service under its own name.

Example

A company purchases an AI-powered recruitment system from another Provider and uses it in its own human resources department without modifying it. It is the Deployer—the Provider of the AI system remains the original developer.

Further reading

Related terms

→ AI Act
→ Provider
→ High-Risk AI