EU Rejects AI Act Delay, Upholding Rollout Timeline Despite Tech Industry Pressure

The European Union has definitively rejected any delay to the implementation of its Artificial Intelligence Act, as confirmed by the European Commission on November 7, 2025. This decision comes amid intense lobbying from US tech giants like Google and Meta, as well as European industry groups, who raised concerns over compliance costs. The AI Act will proceed on its original schedule, with key provisions rolling out through 2025–2026, and high-risk AI systems set to be fully regulated by August 2026.

Earlier reports had suggested the EU was considering a partial halt or grace period, with a proposed 'simplification package' under discussion for a November 19 decision. However, the Commission has now asserted that no formal delay will occur, reinforcing the regulatory framework that entered into force in August 2024 after being proposed in 2021 and passed in 2023. This stance mirrors previous EU digital regulations, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), which faced similar opposition but ultimately provided regulatory clarity.

While the move is expected to increase near-term compliance spending for tech firms, no direct impact has been observed on major cryptocurrencies. Nonetheless, the clarified rules may indirectly influence AI-driven crypto projects within the EU by setting clearer integration guidelines and potential cost implications for developers in this sector.