---
title: "Artificial intelligence enters dangerous territory for autónomos and SMEs from December — Marsanne Studio AI watch"
description: "The AI Act imposes new phased obligations on Spanish SMEs and autónomos, with fines of up to EUR 35 million."
url: "https://marsanne.studio/en/ai-watch/artificial-intelligence-enters-dangerous-territory-for-autonomos-and-008158/"
lang: "en"
---

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Regulation · 20 September 2026

# Artificial intelligence enters dangerous territory for autónomos and SMEs from December

Original title, in Spanish: “La inteligencia artificial entra en terreno peligroso para los autónomos y pymes a partir de diciembre”

**Publication**

Diario Autónomos y Emprendedor (Spain)

**Author**

Unsigned

**Published on**

20 September 2026 · read in the page structured data · updated on 20 September 2026

## Summary

The article explains the obligations that the European AI Act places on Spanish autónomos and SMEs that use artificial intelligence. According to the INE, 21.1% of companies with 10 or more employees and 13.4% of companies with fewer than 10 employees used AI in Spain in the first quarter of 2026. The Banco de España, for its part, cites close to 20% of companies using it, often on an experimental basis, held back by a lack of qualified staff, costs and data availability. The Plataforma ONE has published a guide recommending an inventory of the AI tools in use, vigilance over the data processed, employee training and transparency towards users. The text details the timetable for the obligations to enter into application (December 2026, December 2027, August 2028) and reminds readers that fines can reach EUR 35 million or 7% of worldwide turnover for certain infringements.

Summary based on the full text of the article.

[Read the article on Diario Autónomos y Emprendedor →](https://www.autonomosyemprendedor.es/articulo/autonomos/ue-pone-punto-mira-autonomos-que-usan-inteligencia-artificial-sancionara-practicas/20260917144557055912.html)

## Figures cited

-   21.1 %
    
    Share of companies with 10 or more employees using AI technologies in Spain in Q1 2026
    
    Spain, companies with 10 or more employees, Q1 2026
    
    > « el 21,1% de las empresas de diez o más trabajadores utilizaba tecnologías de IA en el primer trimestre de 2026, según el Instituto Nacional de Estadística »
    
    Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE)
    
-   13.4 %
    
    Share of companies with fewer than 10 employees using AI technologies in Spain
    
    Spain, companies with fewer than 10 employees, Q1 2026
    
    > « entre las empresas de menos de diez empleados, donde de hecho se concentra una gran parte del tejido empresarial de nuestro país, el porcentaje era del 13,4% »
    
    Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE)
    
-   20 %
    
    Share of Spanish companies already using AI according to the survey on business activity
    
    Spain, companies surveyed by the Banco de España, often experimental use
    
    > « Su análisis de la Encuesta sobre la Actividad Empresarial concluyó que casi el 20% de las compañías encuestadas ya utilizaba IA, aunque en muchas todavía de forma experimental »
    
    Source: Banco de España, Encuesta sobre la Actividad Empresarial
    
-   35 EUR million
    
    Maximum fine provided for by the AI Act for certain infringements
    
    European Union, infringements relating to prohibited practices or data requirements
    
    > « La Comisión Europea, además, establece multas que pueden alcanzar los 35 millones de euros o el 7% del volumen de negocio mundial anual para determinadas infracciones relacionadas con prácticas prohibidas o requisitos sobre datos. »
    
    Source: AI Act (règlement UE 2024/1689)
    

## Classification

**Country**

Spain

**Company size**

Micro-businesses, SMEs

**Industries**

All industries, or industry not specified

**Companies**

Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD) (cited), Plataforma ONE (Oficina Nacional de Emprendimiento) (cited), Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) (study author), Banco de España (study author)

**Keywords**

AI Act, SMEs, autónomos, regulatory obligations, human resources, penalties

Entry written by Marsanne Studio from the cited article, with the help of an AI model (claude-sonnet-5). The rights to the article and its illustrations belong to Diario Autónomos y Emprendedor. Entry translated from French by Claude Sonnet 5.5.