The European Commission has dismissed growing calls for a suspension of the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Act, despite increasing pressure from business groups and political leaders. Addressing the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on Monday, Yvo Volman, the Commission’s Director for Data, said a “stop the clock” approach was not under consideration.
“There is not going to be an overall moratorium on the AI Act. That is not on the table. We are focussing on making the rules work in practice,” Volman told lawmakers.
The intervention follows remarks by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi last week, who urged the Commission to consider a pause due to uncertainties around potential risks. Businesses have echoed these concerns, calling for a two-year delay to allow companies more time to adapt and to simplify requirements.
The AI Act, which regulates artificial intelligence systems according to the risks they pose, entered into force in 2024 and is being phased in gradually.
Volman also clarified that the Commission’s upcoming “digital simplification package,” expected in December, will not involve rewriting the AI Act. Instead, the initiative—sometimes referred to as a “digital omnibus”—is aimed at reducing administrative burdens and abolishing certain transparency obligations. This forms part of the Commission’s broader digital fitness check, which reviews existing rules to streamline compliance.
There has been speculation that the EU might soften its stance under pressure from Washington.
