The EU AI Act Newsletter

Beyond the "US innovates, Europe regulates" divide..
Legislative Process
MEPs agree on proposals to simplify AI rules: The European Parliament adopted its position on an AI Act simplification proposal with 569 votes in favour, 45 against and 23 abstentions. Notably, the proposal delays rules for high-risk AI systems to allow implementation guidance and standards preparation. MEPs introduce fixed application dates: 2 December 2027 for high-risk systems and 2 August 2028 for systems covered by EU sectoral safety legislation. Additionally, MEPs grant providers until 2 November 2026 for watermarking compliance. They’re introducing a ban on “nudifier” systems that create or manipulate sexually explicit images of identifiable people without consent. This excludes systems with effective safeguards. Furthermore, MEPs permit personal data processing to detect and correct biases in AI system provided strict necessity safeguards are in place. They back extending SME support measures to small mid-cap enterprises. MEPs argue that AI Act obligations can be less stringent for products already regulated under sectoral laws. Following the Parliament's adoption, negotiations with the Council on the law's final form can now begin.
Analyses
Beyond “US Innovates, Europe Regulates”: Julia Tréhu, Program Manager and Fellow, and Adrienne Goldstein, Senior Program Coordinator, at the [...]
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Outline:
(00:30) Legislative Process
(01:56) Analyses
(08:37) Discussion about this post
(08:41) Ready for more?
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First published:

April 7th, 2026


Source:

https://artificialintelligenceact.substack.com/p/the-eu-ai-act-newsletter-99-bridging

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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MEPs adopted a joint position on simplifying the AI Act with 101 votes in favour, nine against and eight abstentions. The Council agreed on streamlining AI rules..
Legislative Process
MEPs support postponement of certain rules: Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) adopted a joint position on simplifying the AI Act, with 101 votes in favour, 9 against and 8 abstentions. Notably, the proposal supports postponing activation of certain high-risk AI system rules, given that key standards may not be finalised by the 2 August 2026 deadline. To ensure predictability, MEPs propose fixed application dates: 2 December 2027 for high-risk systems and 2 August 2028 for systems covered by EU sectorial safety legislation. In addition, MEPs favour shorter watermarking compliance extensions until 2 November 2026. Separately, they introduce a ban on “nudifier” systems creating or manipulating sexually explicit images resembling identifiable persons without consent, excluding systems with effective safeguards. They also back extending SME support measures to small mid-cap enterprises. Following the Parliament's plenary vote expected on 26 March, negotiations with the Council will commence.
Council agrees its position to streamline rules: The Council has agreed its position on streamlining AI rules, treating the proposal with utmost priority. Member [...]
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Outline:
(00:41) Legislative Process
(03:09) Analyses
(09:18) Discussion about this post
(09:22) Ready for more?
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First published:

March 24th, 2026


Source:

https://artificialintelligenceact.substack.com/p/the-eu-ai-act-newsletter-98-parliament

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The 2026 International AI Safety Report was launched at the New Delhi AI Impact Summit. Lead writer Carina Prunkl discusses its relevance for AI Act implementation..
Legislative Process
Commission publishes second draft of Code of Practice on marking and labelling of AI-generated content: The European Commission is facilitating a voluntary code of practice to help providers and deployers comply with Article 50 of the AI Act, which mandates marking and labelling of AI-generated content. This second draft incorporates feedback from hundreds of stakeholders, including industry, academia and civil society, gathered through surveys, meetings and workshops in January 2026, alongside contributions from Member States and European Parliament representatives. The revised code has been streamlined to reduce compliance burden whilst promoting open standards and an EU icon for labelling. The code comprises two sections: Section 1 addresses marking and detecting AI content for generative AI system providers, with enhanced flexibility and clarity; Section 2 targets deployers, focusing on labelling deepfakes and text on matters of public interest, adopting a more flexible and practice-oriented approach. Feedback on this draft is due by 30 March, with finalisation expected by early June 2026. The transparency rules become applicable on 2 August 2026.
Analyses
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Outline:
(00:39) Legislative Process
(02:00) Analyses
(08:38) Discussion about this post
(08:42) Ready for more?
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First published:

March 9th, 2026


Source:

https://artificialintelligenceact.substack.com/p/the-eu-ai-act-newsletter-97-safety

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Industry groups welcome the AI Omnibus proposals but want them to go further, while civil society organisations warn against rolling back fundamental rights..
Legislative Process
Council spells out possible new powers for AI Office: A second Council compromise text for the AI simplification package details enhanced inspection powers for the AI Office under the AI Act, according to Maximilian Henning from Euractiv. The Commission's November omnibus proposal sought to centralise AI market inspection powers within the AI Office, moving them away from national bodies. The Office would oversee AI systems built by companies on top of their own general-purpose AI models. Member states are now specifying that this should also apply within the same “undertaking” – a broad term covering organisations acting economically together – potentially encompassing corporate structures like Alphabet, Meta or xAI. The second draft clarifies enforcement powers, permitting the Office to examine company books and relevant data, take copies, and question staff about documents, though legally privileged information and journalists’ sources remain protected. The Office could also request national watchdogs investigate on its behalf.
Signatory Taskforce of the General-Purpose AI Code of Practice: The EU AI Office has launched The Signatory Taskforce, which facilitates [...]
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Outline:
(00:38) Legislative Process
(03:02) Analyses
(08:23) Discussion about this post
(08:27) Ready for more?
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First published:

February 17th, 2026


Source:

https://artificialintelligenceact.substack.com/p/the-eu-ai-act-newsletter-96-simplification

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At Davos, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen defended Europe's AI rulebook arguing that a single EU law is better than a hundred American ones..
Legislative Process
Commission misses high-risk AI guidelines deadline: Euractiv's Maximilian Henning reported that the European Commission will publish draft guidelines later this month to help developers identify high-risk AI systems under the EU AI rules, having missed the 2 February 2026 deadline. Classifying AI systems is essential for companies, as high-risk AI systems face significantly stricter requirements, including additional compliance documentation. The Act relies on the Commission guidance on classification, with a comprehensive list of practical examples. The Commission gathered input last summer and received feedback via the AI Board, a group of national experts. A Commission spokesperson explained that the delay resulted from integrating substantial feedback received over the past month whilst following internal procedures, adding that the priority remains publishing draft guidelines for final stakeholder consultation in February before official adoption. Renew lawmaker Michael McNamara, co-chair of a parliamentary group overseeing the enforcement of AI rules, called the delay “entirely unacceptable”, stating that it undermines the AI Office's credibility. However, he emphasised that adequately staffing the Office to fulfil its responsibilities was [...]
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Outline:
(00:37) Legislative Process
(02:00) Analyses
(08:05) Discussion about this post
(08:09) Ready for more?
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First published:

February 3rd, 2026


Source:

https://artificialintelligenceact.substack.com/p/the-eu-ai-act-newsletter-95-one-law

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