Commission considersAI Act simplification

The European Commission has indicated its willingness to consider targeted amendments to the EU Artificial Intelligence Act following a scheduled review, according to statements made by Kilian Gross, head of the Commission’s AI policy unit, at POLITICO’s AI and Tech Summit. While fundamental reform of the AI Act is not currently planned, Gross emphasized that the Commission’s immediate priority is to simplify the Act’s implementation, aiming to make compliance more accessible for companies while maintaining regulatory effectiveness.

This openness to adjustment comes amid a broader EU initiative to review and streamline existing legislation in a bid to enhance economic performance and global competitiveness. The deregulation push is expected to influence how digital and technology laws are administered across the bloc, with the AI Act serving as a pivotal example of ongoing regulatory evolution.

Gross also confirmed that a new voluntary industry code of practice, designed to provide operational guidance for managing high-risk AI models, will be published in the coming weeks. This code, which the Commission had initially planned to release by May 2, will clarify compliance pathways for providers of general-purpose AI, such as ChatGPT, ahead of the August 2 deadline when the Act’s obligations for these models come into force.

Despite missing the original May deadline, the Commission remains committed to releasing the code well before the August implementation date. The delay has been attributed in part to significant lobbying from the U.S. government, highlighting the international interest and high stakes surrounding the EU’s AI regulatory framework.

Source: EU Commission opens door for ‘targeted changes’ to AI Act