Fundamentals

Autonomous Systems

Definition

Systems capable of performing complex tasks in real-world environments without human intervention for each action. In regulated sectors such as transport, healthcare, and finance, autonomous AI systems typically fall under the EU AI Act's high-risk classification.

Related Terms

Embodied AI

AI systems situated in a physical body or robot that perceive the world through sensors and act on it through actuators. Embodied AI bridges software intelligence and the physical world, making it central to robotics, autonomous vehicles, and smart manufacturing.

Agentic AI

AI systems that autonomously plan, reason, and execute multi-step tasks over extended time horizons without continuous human direction. Agentic AI is moving from demo to production in 2025–26, raising new questions around oversight, auditability, and the EU AI Act's human oversight requirements.

High-Risk AI System

An AI system classified under the EU AI Act as posing significant risks to health, safety, or fundamental rights. High-risk systems must undergo conformity assessment, maintain technical documentation, enable human oversight, and be registered in an EU database before market deployment.

Related Services

Eu Ai Act Compliance

Product Leadership Program

Knowing the Terms Is Step One. Applying Them Is Step Two.

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