The major European project to tame artificial intelligence seemed well underway: the AI Act, adopted in 2024, was to set clear limits on algorithms, protect citizens and make the EU a global ethical model. This was before the lobbies and Washington reminded Brussels who owns the graphics cards and military diplomacy…
Coffee break for European AI
According to the Financial Timesthe European Commission is preparing to present, on November 19, a “simplification package” which could well transform the most ambitious text in the world into a lighter version. The idea is to offer Silicon Valley companies some breathing space, by granting them a one-year “grace period” to comply with the stricter rules. A healthy break so as not to “ disrupt the market ».
Brussels swears hand on heart that the AI Act remains a priority and that this “reflection” does not call anything into question. But Europe, which intended to impose its model, today seems to be rediscovering the virtues of flexibility. Especially when Donald Trump threatens to cut arms deliveries to Ukraine or introduce new customs duties.
The Commission’s project also plans to postpone until 2027 the sanctions planned for violations of the new transparency rules. Vendors of generative systems already on the market could benefit from an additional year to “ adapt their practices “. Even monitoring and documentation obligations for high-risk systems could be “ simplified ».
Officially, all this aims to “ facilitate competitiveness » et « avoid slowing down innovation “. Unofficially, it is a way of calming things down with the United States, whose giants – Meta, Google, Microsoft – have never hidden their annoyance at regulations deemed too finicky.
Behind the scenes, it is better to procrastinate than to irritate the White House. “ The EU remains fully committed to the AI Act and its objectives », Repeats a Commission spokesperson, but it seems like a mantra that we recite over and over to convince ourselves. Some MEPs, like the Italian Brando Benifei, choke up: “ Stopping the clock would only increase legal uncertainty and leave citizens exposed to the risks the law was intended to prevent ».
Europe wanted to show that it could manage AI without trembling. She will end up offering a polite period of time to those she claimed to regulate. Behind the great principles, Brussels proves once again that it knows how to bend without breaking, especially when Donald Trump frowns.
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