A cohort of prominent European businesses is urging the European Union (EU) to postpone the enforcement of the new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. The companies, including giants like Airbus, BNP Paribas, Carrefour, and Dassault Systèmes, emphasize that the existing rules are overly complex and may stifle innovation and reduce competitiveness. While they support AI regulation, they call for simplification of the rules.
The AI Act, a legal framework for AI development and application in the EU, was introduced by the European Commission (EC) in April 2021 and passed by the European Parliament in May 2024. The Act will roll out in two phases starting August 2, with rules for general-purpose AI coming first, followed by ‘high-risk’ AI guidelines in August 2026.
In an open letter to key EC leaders, including President Ursula von der Leyen, the enterprises request a two-year delay in implementing the Act. They argue the rules’ current complexity could hinder Europe’s competitive edge in the global AI market. The letter stresses the importance of maintaining Europe’s lead in AI during significant technological, economic, and geopolitical shifts.
The companies assert that the EU has set out unclear, overlapping regulations, which, if enforced too soon, could jeopardize the development of European AI champions. Delaying the Act, they argue, would give industries the necessary time to align with global competition and simplify regulatory processes.
Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice-president of the EC, has indicated a decision will be made by the end of August on whether to delay the Act’s implementation if preparatory guidelines are not ready.
Signatories underline a commitment to collaborate with the EC to develop clearer, simpler regulations that support trustworthy, human-centered AI. They highlight Europe’s advantages, such as a strong industrial base and a culture of collaboration, which could pivot Europe to a leadership role in the global AI sector.
The detailed list of advocating companies spans diverse sectors, from financial services to manufacturing. Their central message is that while they acknowledge the regulation’s necessary balance between innovation and control, the present framework’s complexity threatens the continent’s AI future.
They encourage EU authorities to focus on regulatory quality over speed, ensuring that stakeholders can efficiently adapt and innovate. Such changes would signal to innovators and investors that Europe is dedicated to fostering a competitive and simplified regulatory environment for AI.