The Plenary of the European Parliament approved the Intelligence Act (AI Act), making it the world’s first comprehensive law on AI. This article explores the regulation’s aim to protect fundamental rights, drive innovation, and make Europe a leader in the sector. It also discusses Europe’s role as a pioneer in regulating emerging technologies and the potential impact on technological competitiveness. Experts provide insights on the dual objective of the regulation: protecting citizens from risks while encouraging AI system development and implementation.