According to Politico, the European Commission is considering postponing certain provisions of the Artificial Intelligence Act due to delays in the preparation of implementation guidelines and growing demands from the technology sector.
When Will the New Regulations Take Effect?
As reported by Politico, during a meeting of digital ministers held in Luxembourg on Friday, European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen acknowledged that certain provisions of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act may face delays.
“If it turns out that the necessary standards and guidelines are not ready in time, we should not rule out a delay,” she stated, echoing the concerns of both industry stakeholders and Member States.
The AI Act, agreed upon at the end of 2023, is the world’s first comprehensive set of regulations aimed at mitigating the risks associated with artificial intelligence. Some provisions came into force in February, while others are scheduled for August 2025 and into 2026. However, companies—particularly those developing advanced AI models—are still awaiting more detailed guidance and a formal code of conduct.
In recent weeks, representatives of the tech industry have advocated for the introduction of a “stop-the-clock” mechanism, which would allow for the postponement of compliance deadlines in the absence of finalized guidelines. This proposal has met with cautious openness from some EU Member States. The current discussions align with broader EU efforts to streamline regulation. The Polish government, for example, has emphasized the importance of impact assessments, reducing compliance costs for businesses, and leveraging technology to facilitate regulatory adherence.
While the AI Act is widely regarded as a landmark in the global conversation on ethical and secure AI development, its successful implementation will require not only a robust legal framework, but also operational readiness from both national authorities and the private sector.