This chapter explains why the European Union introduced a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Act and situates the regulation within the EU’s broader policy landscape. It contrasts the Act’s aims: Trust, innovation, and protection of fundamental rights, with earlier cornerstone legislation such as the GDPR, highlighting both continuities and novel elements (e.g. the risk-based tiers for AI systems). Readers gain a concise overview of the Act’s structure, key articles, and implementation timeline, together with an introduction to the “Brussels Effect,” which helps EU norms shape global practice. By the end of the chapter, manufacturers and engineers understand the legal foundations they must work with and the strategic rationale that underpins the new rules.