EU May Delay Parts of Landmark AI Act Amid U.S. and Big Tech Pressure: FT Report

The European Commission is considering delaying the implementation of certain provisions of its landmark Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act following intense pressure from major U.S. tech companies and the American government, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

According to the report, the move comes after months of lobbying by tech giants such as Meta and Alphabet, as well as warnings from the Trump administration, which argued that the EU’s AI regulations could escalate trade tensions between the two sides.

A senior EU official told the Financial Times that the bloc is currently in discussions with the Trump administration to “adjust” parts of the AI Act and other digital regulations as part of a broader simplification process, expected to be adopted on November 19.

Reuters could not immediately verify the FT report, and the European Commission did not respond to requests for comment.

In July, an EU spokesperson had rejected calls from some companies and governments to delay the legislation, insisting that the AI rules would be implemented according to the legally defined timeline.

However, another EU spokesperson told the FT that internal discussions are now underway regarding a possible delay in implementing specific sections of the AI Act. “Various options are being considered,” the spokesperson said, “but the European Union remains fully committed to the AI Act and its objectives.”

The AI Act, which is set to come into effect in August 2024, is the world’s first comprehensive legal framework governing the use of artificial intelligence. While the law will be formally adopted next year, many of its provisions are expected to take effect gradually over the coming years.