No stop the clock, no pause: EU rejects calls from Alphabet, Meta and others to stall AI regulation

India Today

19 hours ago

The European Union has firmly rejected mounting calls from major tech companies, including Alphabet, Meta to delay the implementation of its Artificial Intelligence Act. Many big tech companies and even the several European AI firms such as ASML and Mistral asked the commission to hold on the implementation, citing high compliance costs and complex regulatory requirements. However, the EU has now made it clear that the legal timeline for rolling out the AI Act will remain unchanged.advertisement'I've seen, indeed, a lot of reporting, a lot of letters and a lot of things being said on the AI Act. Let me be as clear as possible: there is no stop the clock. There is no grace period. There is no pause,' said EU Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier at a press conference via Reuters. The Commission also emphasized the upcoming law is being adopted to ensure responsible AI development and carries legally binding deadlines which will be enforced accordingly.Why tech companies want delay in AI ActTech and AI companies are resisting the implementation of AI rules by the EU, following concerns that the law could stifle innovation and increase costs. US-based tech giants, including Google's parent Alphabet and Facebook owner Meta, have joined European firms in urging Brussels to consider a delay.
But the Commission is resolute, and has even warned the companies that delays in implementation would compromise public trust and safety. 'We have legal deadlines established in a legal text,' Regnier noted, outlining that the Act's provisions are staggered and will take effect in phases starting this year.The EU is also planning to simplify some digital rules later in 2025, which could potentially reduce reporting obligations for smaller companies. However, the Commission has clarified that these simplifications will not affect the rollout or enforcement timeline of the AI Act itself. With the Act, the Commission wants to place guardrails around AI, which is currently a rapidly advancing technology touching nearly every sector of the economy.What is the EU AI ActThe EU Artificial Intelligence Act is described as the world's first comprehensive regulatory framework for AI. It officially entered into force on 1 August 2024. The Act includes guidelines for AI companies to follow a risk-based approach, categorising AI systems based on the level of harm they could pose. The most dangerous uses—such as manipulative behavioural prediction tools or untargeted facial recognition scraping—are outright banned under the Act.When will the AI Act be enforcedThe first set of regulations was enforced from 2 February 2025, targeting the most harmful AI practices. By 2 August 2025, obligations for general-purpose AI (GPAI) models will come into effect. For models that were already on the market before this date, providers have until August 2027 to ensure compliance. Meanwhile, rules governing high-risk AI systems—such as those used in employment, education, healthcare, or critical infrastructure—will come into force on 2 August 2026.- Ends