The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on simpler, innovation-friendly rules for artificial intelligence (AI).
The Commission proposed the Digital Omnibus on AI only five months ago as part of the EU’s simplification agenda to boost Europe’s competitiveness. This will make the implementation of the AI Act for EU businesses easier while maintaining its benefits for European society, safety and fundamental rights.
Today’s agreement sets a clear implementation timeline for the rules governing high-risk AI systems. Rules for systems used in certain high-risk areas — including biometrics, critical infrastructure, education, employment, migration, asylum and border control — will apply from 2 December 2027. For systems integrated into products such as lifts or toys, the rules will apply from 2 August 2028. This sequencing will help ensure that technical standards and other support tools are in place before the rules start to apply.
The agreement also strengthens protection for citizens. It prohibits AI systems that generate non-consensual sexually explicit and intimate content or child sexual abuse material, such as AI ‘nudification’ apps.