Bridging the Gap Between AI Regulation and Practice
A new open access book from GPT-Lab researcher Chalisa Veesommai Sillberg gives small and medium-sized enterprises a practical roadmap for EU AI Act compliance, published by Springer Nature.
The EU AI Act is one of the most ambitious regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence anywhere in the world. But for the small and medium-sized enterprises that make up the backbone of Europe’s economy, understanding what the law actually requires and how to implement it has remained a formidable challenge.
A new book from GPT-Lab aims to change that. Navigating Compliance: Strategic Guidance for SMEs under the EU AI Act, published March 18, 2026 as part of Springer Nature’s SpringerBriefs in Computer Science series, translates the Act’s obligations into concrete, practical steps that organisations can follow without deep legal or technical resources.
“AI regulation is often perceived as complex and difficult to apply. Our goal was to bridge that gap by providing practical guidance that helps SMEs manage risk, build trust, and remain competitive.”
Chalisa Veesommai Sillberg, AuthorThe book covers risk classification under the Act’s tiered framework, audit procedures, transparency requirements, and strategies for integrating responsible AI into existing business workflows. Rather than treating compliance as a legal burden, it positions it as a strategic asset that can strengthen competitiveness and build public trust.
Published as open access, the book is freely available to anyone, from startup founders and compliance officers to policymakers and AI researchers. This reflects GPT-Lab’s commitment to producing research that has direct, wide-reaching impact beyond the academic community.
This work was supported by Tampere University Library and the GENT project.
Why it matters
Contributes to the emerging field of AI governance by offering a structured, applied perspective on translating regulatory frameworks into practice.
Promotes responsible AI by helping organisations address risks related to bias, discrimination, and transparency, protecting fundamental rights.
Aligns with the EU’s goals for safe, trustworthy, and innovation-friendly AI, enabling SMEs to treat compliance as a competitive advantage.
As one of the first comprehensive AI regulatory frameworks globally, the book has relevance well beyond Europe for policymakers and practitioners worldwide.