EU considers pausing key AI rules amid industry pressure, delays

Just a year after adopting its landmark AI Act, the European Union is considering delaying parts of the law amid lobbying pressures and implementation concerns. A pause could allow companies breaching high-risk AI rules to continue operating under existing practices for up to a year longer than planned.

The potential shift marks a surprising pivot from Europe’s position as a global regulatory leader to a region cautious about being outpaced by the US and China. Critics argue the law has not yet delivered a coherent balance between risk management and business interests. Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi called the law a “source of uncertainty,” POLITICO writes in its article. 

Civil society groups are pushing back. On September 23, 31 digital rights organisations sent a letter to the European Commission criticizing both the Commission and EU governments for fueling a “vicious cycle of delays” by postponing clear enforcement measures.

The AI Act’s next major rollout in August 2026 will target systems that pose “serious risks” to health, safety, and fundamental rights, including AI used in HR, education, and the judiciary. Companies are awaiting technical standards needed to comply with risk management and record-keeping obligations. Industry leaders and EU countries have urged that these standards be available well before the deadline.

In July, several top European CEOs called for a two-year pause “to address the uncertainty.” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen later told digital ministers that “we should not rule out postponing some parts of the AI Act” if standards are not ready. Draghi reiterated on September 23 that high-risk AI rules should be paused “until we better understand the drawbacks.”

The European Commission has opened a consultation on simplifying tech rulebooks, noting that “targeted adjustments” to the AI Act are possible.

POLITICO reported that a draft plan to boost AI adoption, expected October 8, cites delays in delivering technical standards. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said a simplification package, or “digital omnibus,” will be finalized in November.

Several EU countries, including Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, support a pause, with Poland suggesting delaying fines for companies by six to twelve months. Lawmakers, however, remain divided.

Dutch Greens lawmaker Kim van Sparrentak said, “It’s quite a bizarre proposal to start reviewing this all, while the AI Act has not yet been implemented. We don’t know yet how this law works in practice and how complicated it is,” though she acknowledged damage limitation is now the priority.

By Sabina Mammadli