The European Union confirmed on Friday that it will adhere to the scheduled timeline for rolling out its landmark Artificial Intelligence Act, dismissing recent appeals from major technology companies to delay the implementation process.
Leading corporations, including Alphabet, Meta, Mistral AI, and ASML, had been urging the European Commission to delay these new AI regulations, arguing that the Act could seriously hinder Europe’s competitive edge in the swiftly evolving global artificial intelligence market.
In response to these calls, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated unequivocally: “I’ve seen, indeed, a lot of reporting, letters, and various comments regarding the AI Act. Let me state explicitly: there will be no stopping the clock, no grace period, and no pause.”
The AI Act introduces a robust, risk-based regulatory framework. Certain specific use cases classified as “unacceptable risk,” including social scoring systems and cognitive behavioral manipulation, will be banned outright. Secondly, “high-risk” AI applications—such as those dealing with biometric recognition, facial identification, or uses in critical sectors like education and employment—will face strict compliance measures, including mandatory registration and adherence to rigorous risk and quality management standards in order to enter the EU market.
Additionally, a third category termed “limited risk” will encompass less sensitive AI applications like chatbots, subjecting them to lighter transparency requirements.
The EU began gradually introducing the AI Act provisions last year, with full enforcement expected by mid-2026.
