European Union countries and European Parliament lawmakers have agreed on a softened version of the bloc’s landmark artificial intelligence rules, including delayed implementation, in a move critics say reflects growing concessions to major technology firms.
The provisional agreement was reached on Thursday after nine hours of negotiations and still requires formal approval by EU governments and the European Parliament in the coming months.
Marilena Raouna, Cyprus’s deputy minister for European affairs, said the agreement would ease pressure on businesses. In a statement, she said the revised AI Act would “significantly support our companies by reducing recurring administrative costs”. Cyprus currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council.
The revisions form part of a broader European Commission push to simplify new digital regulations, following complaints from companies about overlapping rules and administrative burdens that they say limit their ability to compete with rivals in the U.S. and Asia.
The AI Act entered into force in August 2024, with enforcement originally planned in stages. Under the new agreement, rules covering high-risk AI systems - including those used in biometrics, critical infrastructure and law enforcement - will now apply from 2 December 2027, instead of the earlier 2 August deadline.
Negotiators also agreed to remove machinery from the scope of the AI Act, arguing that existing sector-specific rules already apply. The decision reflects sustained lobbying from industry groups.
Lawmakers also agreed to ban artificial intelligence systems that create unauthorised sexually explicit images. The move follows concerns over content produced by the X-AI chatbot Grok, owned by Elon Musk, including sexually explicit deepfake imagery.
The ban will take effect from 2 December.
Dutch lawmaker Kim van Sparrentak welcomed the decision, saying it marked an important step in protecting users. “By the end of this year, everyone - especially women and girls - will be safe from horrific nudifier apps being widely available on the EU market,” she said.
Mandatory watermarking of content generated by artificial intelligence systems will also come into force from 2 December.
Despite the delays and exemptions, EU officials say the rules remain the most comprehensive artificial intelligence regulatory framework in the world. The legislation was originally introduced amid concerns about the impact of AI on children, workers, businesses and cybersecurity.
Trump said the U.S. and Iran were making progress in peace talks, though direct negotiations remain premature. Meanwhile, Israel, reportedly, ...
European Union countries and European Parliament lawmakers have agreed on a softened version of the bloc’s l...
Reports that Emmanuel Macron planned to cross from Armenia into Türkiye via their closed border - and was reportedly blocked following co...
Israel carried out airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday evening, the first such attack th...
U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted a swift end to the war with Iran, as Tehran considers a U.S.-backed peace proposal that sour...
The UK is moving to join a €90 billion European Union loan scheme for Ukraine, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the benefits outweigh the costs, as he pushes for closer ties with Europe at a summit in Armenia this week.
Armenia is host to the 8th meeting of the European Political Community which opened in Yerevan on Monday (4 May). Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed European Union leaders and heads of international organisations, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The European Commission approved the deployment of a new mission to Armenia on 21 April that would share European experience in handling hybrid threats.
The Milli Majlis Temporary Commission on Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats has issued a statement warning of what it describes as an information campaign by pro-Armenian groups targeting Azerbaijan and the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process.
Trump said the U.S. and Iran were making progress in peace talks, though direct negotiations remain premature. Meanwhile, Israel, reportedly, struck senior Hezbollah and Hamas figures and tensions over Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear programme continue.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran wanted to negotiate and make a deal in comments to reporters on Wednesday (6 May). But earlier, he warned Washington would ramp up attacks if no agreement was reached.
Argentinian authorities are reconstructing the journeys of Dutch citizens who presented with symptoms of deadly hantavirus after visiting Argentina and Chile as part of a luxury cruise trip, the country's Health Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (6 May)
The United Arab Emirate said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second day in a row on Tuesday (5 May), despite denials from authorities in Tehran who threatened a "crushing response" if the UAE retaliated.
The 61st Venice Biennale has opened under grey skies and political tension, with disputes over Russia and Israel, resignations on the jury, and protests marking the start of one of the art world’s most high-profile events.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) remains central to efforts to curb nuclear arms. More than 50 years after entering into force, it faces mounting pressure from geopolitical rivalry, modernisation and disputes over disarmament.
Latvian authorities said two drones entered NATO member Latvia from Russian territory and crashed on Thursday morning, with officials linking them to Ukraine’s wider drone operations against targets in Russia.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Global investors are showing early signs of diversification away from U.S. Treasuries as worldwide debt levels climbed to a record $353 trillion by the end of March of 2026, according to a new report from the Institute of International Finance (IIF) published on 6 May.
Conflicts well beyond Southeast Asia are set to dominate talks as leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc gather in the Philippines, with the crisis in the Middle East looming large over fuel‑import‑dependent economies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment