The European Union will press ahead with the rollout of its landmark Artificial Intelligence Act according to the legally established timeline, the European Commission confirmed on Friday, firmly rejecting calls from tech giants and member states for a pause.
Major technology firms including Google parent company Alphabet, Meta Platforms, as well as European companies like French AI startup Mistral and Dutch chipmaker ASML, had urged the Commission to delay implementation by several years. They cited concerns over compliance costs and the complexity of new requirements.
However, Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier was unequivocal during a press briefing: “There is no stop the clock. There is no grace period. There is no pause,” he said.
Regnier reaffirmed that the AI Act, which officially entered into force in February 2025, will move forward as planned. Under the timeline, general-purpose AI model obligations begin this August, while obligations for high-risk AI systems are set to take effect in August 2026.
The AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, aiming to ensure the safe and ethical use of AI technologies across sectors. It introduces tiered obligations based on risk levels, with stricter rules for applications deemed high-risk, such as biometric surveillance and AI used in critical infrastructure.
While acknowledging the burden for smaller players, the Commission said it will propose simplification measures later this year, including reduced reporting requirements for small businesses.
The legislation is part of the EU’s broader effort to establish global leadership in digital regulation and provide a counterbalance to the dominant AI developments driven by the United States and China.
Written By Rodney Mbua
