The European Union is set to weaken landmark AI laws and delay their full rollout after finalising a new timeline for regulations on “high risk” products.

The European Parliament and Council of the EU agreed to a proposal that would push back the high risk rules from August 2026 to December 2027, and regulations for AI embedded in products, like toys, to August 2028.

Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen said the changes would “make it easier to innovate without lowering the bar on safety”, and ensure a smooth transition for the AI Act, but groups like European Digital Rights have criticised the decision.

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