European Parliament moves toward final deal on AI Act changes
Members of the European Parliament are moving closer to a political agreement on amendments to the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, following a preliminary compromise reached on 11 March. The deal will be formalized in a report scheduled for a joint vote by the LIBE and IMCO committees on 18 March. The amendments form part of the European Commission’s AI Digital Omnibus, carved out from a broader digital simplification package to address pressing AI Act deadlines, with core obligations currently set to apply from 2 August.
A central element of the compromise is the extension of compliance timelines for high-risk AI systems. According to MEPs, requirements for systems listed in Annex III would apply from 2 December 2027, while those under Annex I would be deferred until 2 August 2028. Lawmakers emphasized that the delay is intended to provide legal certainty and allow sufficient time for technical standards, regulatory guidance, and national authorities to prepare for enforcement.
The draft agreement also introduces clearer conditions for the use of sensitive personal data to detect and mitigate bias in high-risk systems, subject to strict safeguards. In parallel, MEPs agreed on a ban targeting AI systems capable of generating nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfakes of identifiable individuals, with limited carve-outs for providers that implement effective preventive measures. The provisions follow investigations into AI-generated explicit content, including cases involving minors, and are framed as part of broader consumer and child protection efforts.
Industry reaction has been mixed. While extended deadlines have been welcomed, concerns remain about reduced transition periods for generative AI transparency obligations and the reinstatement of registration requirements for certain non-high-risk systems. Trade associations warn that the AI Omnibus may fall short of meaningful simplification and risk compounding regulatory overlap for companies already subject to sector-specific EU frameworks, particularly in healthcare, manufacturing, energy, and automotive sectors.
