The European Union has postponed regulation in this area until 2027.
The EU is giving companies more time to adapt to new rules regarding artificial intelligence, but experts and Members of the European Parliament express regret over the retreat from regulations adopted just a year ago.
The European Commission has presented the "Digital Omnibus" plan, aimed at simplifying extensive EU regulations in the field of information technology.
Among the legislative acts it covers is the Artificial Intelligence Act, which was adopted last year.
The legislation is being implemented gradually, but in the "Omnibus," the European Commission officially announces that the implementation of certain provisions will be postponed.
In particular, the "Omnibus" provides more time for businesses and organizations deploying high-risk AI technologies used for purposes such as resume analysis, school exam assessments, or evaluating loan applications. The provisions of the law will only come into effect in December 2027, more than a year after the originally scheduled date of August 2026.
This could have serious implications. If the "Digital Omnibus" is adopted, AI models will be able to use previously restricted data to make decisions about access to essential financial services.
Peter Norwood, a senior research and advocacy officer at Finance Watch, stated that this amounts to a strategy of "deregulate to accelerate" AI, ultimately affecting consumers.
"According to these proposals, a person could be denied credit due to a biased AI model or charged higher insurance premiums based on predicted health status - all without their knowledge or consent," he said.
The European Commission explains the delay by the insufficient implementation by member states and that companies need time to adapt to complex new rules.
The lobbying group CCIA, which includes Amazon, Apple, Google, and Uber, welcomed the proposed delay in the "Omnibus" but called for "bolder" and "clearer" actions.
"Critical opportunities to raise the outdated threshold for determining AI models that pose 'systemic risk' have been missed, and problematic wording regarding the extraterritoriality of copyright provisions that contradict EU and international community principles has not been corrected," the group stated.
However, some critics of the "Omnibus" argue that the pause is dragging on too long.
"Consumers were promised simplification to support the European economy, but the European Commission's proposal can only be seen as deregulation almost exclusively in favor of Big Tech," said Agustin Reyna, the CEO of the European Consumer Organization BEUC.
"Instead of cutting consumer rights, European legislators should focus on simplifying compliance in the interests of both European companies and consumers," he suggested.
While France and Germany have already welcomed the provisions of the Artificial Intelligence Act, many critical AI experts regret that many EU countries have not established the necessary enforcement structures to comply with the legislation within the original timelines.
"Many EU member states missed the deadline set for August 2025 to appoint competent authorities," said Hanane Taidi, CEO of TIC Council, representing independent companies responsible for assessing compliance with the Artificial Intelligence Act.
"Until these national structures are established, conformity assessment bodies will not be able to receive notifications, and the system will not be able to function properly," Taidi noted.
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