EU tech chief considers delaying parts of AI Act

The EU may delay parts of its AI Act, according to the European Commission's tech chief, due to delays in guidance and technical standards. This could impact the timeline for companies to comply with the new regulations. Henna Virkkunen stated that postponing some aspects of the AI rulebook is possible if necessary standards aren't ready. The AI Act, agreed upon in late 2023, aims to limit AI risks with key deadlines in August 2025 and 2026. Industry is pushing for a "stop-the-clock" mechanism, and some EU ministers are open to delays. Poland suggests a plan is needed before any postponement, focusing on simplification and impact assessments.