EU AI Act Hangs in Balance After Exhaustive 22-Hour Negotiation Session
European negotiators pause marathon talks on the landmark AI Act as time runs out before upcoming elections. Significant progress occurs on foundation models, but law enforcement provisions continue to stall a final agreement.
European negotiators hit the pause button after a grueling 22-hour trilogue session, leaving the fate of the EU AI Act at a critical juncture. With the European Parliament elections looming next year, pressure is mounting to finalize the landmark artificial intelligence legislation before the commission reconstitutes. If lawmakers fail to agree on a common text quickly, the proposed AI Act faces a delay of at least another year.
Expectations for a political agreement run high throughout the day, but stubborn law enforcement provisions ultimately hold up the negotiations. Despite a brief glitch on the Council's timeline webpage that mistakenly announces a deal, European Commissioner Thierry Breton confirms that parties only make significant progress and need to resume work the following day. Exhausted negotiators simply need sleep to reassess the complex texts.
On a positive note, the marathon session yields a breakthrough on foundation models, which previously threaten to derail the entire process. Negotiators agree on provisional terms for regulating these powerful base systems, clearing a major hurdle. The European Commission hopes this comprehensive AI regulation eventually mirrors the global influence of the GDPR, but they must first overcome the remaining sticking points to secure a final deal.