Tech giants collectively exert pressure; the EU AI Act may be forced to lower its threshold.
Under collective pressure from tech giants, the European Commission is planning to delay certain provisions of its artificial intelligence legislation.
On November 7, according to media reports, the European Commission is set to decide on the so-called "simplified plan" on November 19, which proposes to relax certain digital regulatory rules, including the AI Act that came into effect last year. While the AI Act has been effective since August 2024, its main provisions will be gradually implemented over the next few years, with most regulations targeting high-risk AI systems originally scheduled to take effect in August 2026.
The draft is still undergoing informal discussions within the Commission and with capitals of EU member states, and it may change before being passed on November 19.
Grace Period and Delayed Penalties
According to the draft, the European Commission has proposed two key measures as core adjustments. Providers of generative AI systems that have entered the market before the implementation date will be granted a one-year suspension period, offering ample time to adjust their practices within a reasonable timeframe and avoid market disruption.
For violations of AI transparency rules, the Commission recommends delaying the imposition of fines until August 2027, providing sufficient adaptation time for providers and deployers of AI systems to fulfill relevant obligations.
The draft also seeks to simplify the compliance burden on enterprises and to concentrate enforcement authority through the EU's own AI office. Previously, several companies, including Meta—the parent company of Facebook and Instagram—warned that the EU’s approach to regulating AI risks isolating the region from cutting-edge services.
A spokesperson stated that internal discussions within the Commission regarding a possible delay in implementing certain parts of the AI Act are still ongoing and that various options are under consideration. The spokesperson added that the EU remains fully committed to the AI Act and its objectives.
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