EU AI Act Faces Calls for Delay Over Regulatory Hurdles

The European Union’s landmark Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) is facing renewed scrutiny in Brussels, as officials seek to reduce regulatory burdens and stimulate economic growth. Recent months have seen significant lobbying from major American technology companies, pushing back against the Act’s provisions and implementation timeline. The pressure has prompted EU policymakers to reconsider the pace at which the new rules are introduced.

Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s technology chief, indicated that a decision on whether to pause the implementation of the AI Act could be made by the end of August. This decision hinges on whether the necessary standards and guidelines for the law’s application are finalized in time. The uncertainty around these technical details has raised concerns among stakeholders about compliance feasibility.

Chief officials have expressed frustration that the proliferation of unclear, overlapping, and increasingly complex EU regulations is hampering business operations across the bloc. They argue that a temporary pause would send a strong signal to innovators and investors that the EU is committed to regulatory simplification and maintaining competitiveness.

The proposed pause would apply to both general-purpose AI provisions, set to take effect on August 2, and high-risk AI systems, which are scheduled for compliance in August 2026. This move reflects broader concerns within the European business and tech communities about the readiness and clarity of the AI Act’s implementation framework.