France and Germany Advocate for 12-Month Delay in EU AI Act’s High-Risk Provisions

French President Emmanuel Macron and German representatives have jointly called for a one-year postponement of the European Union's AI Act provisions targeting high-risk artificial intelligence systems. The announcement was made during the European Digital Sovereignty summit in Berlin, where Macron emphasized the need to use this period to accelerate innovation.

The summit gathered key tech industry figures, including delegates from SAP SE and French AI startup Mistral, focusing on bolstering Europe's digital autonomy and reducing reliance on U.S. tech giants. The proposed delay highlights ongoing debates over regulatory complexities, particularly for AI systems impacting health and safety.

Macron stated, "On the AI Act, we ask for a 12-month postponement of compliance for high-risk AI systems." The European Commission is concurrently drafting a "digital omnibus" law to streamline data protection and AI regulations, with full compliance currently set for August next year.