How fast AI rules are being written and enforced around the world, measured every quarter from our own data: mandates by region, industry and type, the dates ahead and the enforcement that is already happening.
Last verified: 23 October 2026
The AxiLayer AI Regulatory Index is a quarterly measure of how fast AI rules are being written and enforced around the world. It draws on two sources: the AxiLayer AI Audit Mandates Map, which profiles 81 countries and tracks 192 source-linked mandates, and the AxiSentinel™ regulatory library, which encodes 220+ frameworks and 940+ obligations across 66+ jurisdictions in 43 countries for continuous evaluation.
| Region | Countries profiled | Mandates | In force | Enacted, future date | Proposed | Voluntary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 18 | 45 | 31 | 13 | 0 | 1 |
| Canada and Latin America | 6 | 21 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Europe | 34 | 36 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 4 |
| Middle East | 8 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Africa | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Asia | 17 | 42 | 22 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| Oceania | 4 | 18 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Global standards and schemes | 1 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
Sector-specific mandates by industry. A further 61 mandates apply across all industries.
Counts come from the AxiLayer AI Audit Mandates Map as verified on 23 October 2026. A mandate is any law, regulation or official scheme that requires or formally recognizes an AI audit, assessment, registration, risk program, transparency duty or testing scheme. Entries are linked to official sources and reviewed every quarter. Platform figures come from the AxiSentinel™ regulatory library.
AxiLayer AI, Inc. (2026). AxiLayer AI Regulatory Index, Q4 2026. AxiLayer AI Assurance Intelligence. https://www.axilayerai.com/intelligence/regulatory-index/
Journalists and analysts: contactus@axilayerai.com
AxiSentinel™ maps your AI systems to the rules in this Index, and a qualified AxiLayer AI auditor reviews and signs every finding.
Request a briefing Open the Audit Mandates MapThe AxiLayer AI Regulatory Index for Q4 2026 tracks 192 AI mandates across 81 countries, of which 96 are already in force and 37 are enacted with a future start date. The AxiSentinel library encodes 220+ frameworks and 940+ obligations for continuous evaluation.
In the Q4 2026 Index, Technology & Enterprise, Financial Services & Fintech, Online Platforms & Social Media, Government & Public Sector face the most sector-specific AI mandates, alongside 61 mandates that apply across every industry.
34 of the countries profiled have a comprehensive AI law, including the European Union member states under the EU AI Act and Japan, Kazakhstan, Peru, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam. Others regulate AI through sector rules, draft laws or guidance.
Every quarter. This Q4 2026 edition was published on 23 October 2026. Each edition updates the counts, the outlook for the next quarter and the enforcement watch.
Yes. Cite it as: AxiLayer AI, Inc. (2026). AxiLayer AI Regulatory Index, Q4 2026. Journalists and analysts can contact contactus@axilayerai.com for the underlying figures.
