The European Commission announced that the rollout of the EU´s Artificial Intelligence Act will proceed according to the original timeline, dismissing requests from major technology firms for delays or leniency in enforcement. Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier emphasized the Commission´s firm stance, stating at a press conference that there would be no ´stop the clock´, grace period, or pause, reinforcing that the deadlines remain fixed by law. Provisions for general-purpose Artificial Intelligence models are set to take effect in August, with regulations targeting high-risk systems coming into force in August 2026.
The move follows mounting opposition from European and multinational companies including ASML, Airbus, Mistral, Mercedes-Benz Group, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Lufthansa, Publicis Groupe, Prosus, and Siemens Energy, among others, who recently penned a letter to EU president Ursula von der Leyen. The signatories advocated for the postponement of rules affecting powerful Artificial Intelligence models and urged a shift toward a more innovation-friendly regulatory environment. They argued that immediate application of the rules could stifle competitiveness and innovation within the region´s technology sector.
Despite the criticism, the Commission indicated its willingness to consider targeted simplification and support for smaller firms. Proposals are expected later this year to reduce reporting burdens for small businesses. However, the administration made it clear that legal deadlines will be met and enforced. The Artificial Intelligence Act requires developers to be transparent about model training methods and to adhere to copyright policies. Major tech companies like Meta and Google have labeled the current drafts and impending requirements as unworkable or overly burdensome—Meta refused to sign a voluntary code of practice, while Google objected to mandates on third-party testing and copyright conformance. French president Emmanuel Macron and others within the bloc have also spoken about the need to reduce bureaucratic overhead while maintaining necessary controls to mitigate the most serious Artificial Intelligence risks, but the Commission´s current stance signals no immediate change to the rollout schedule.
