European lawmakers voted on March 26, 2026 to delay parts of the AI Act, including some high-risk system requirements and watermarking deadlines, creating more breathing room for AI companies even as the bloc’s flagship AI rulebook continues to take shape.
EU negotiators are discussing a compromise that would simplify how the AI Act interacts with sector-specific rules, a sign that Brussels is recalibrating the bloc’s flagship AI law under growing pressure from industry and member states.
The EU Council has agreed a position to streamline the AI Act, including delayed application dates for certain high-risk systems and a clearer role for the AI Office, in a move that could ease near-term compliance pressure while negotiations continue.
