The European Commission announced on Wednesday plans to streamline and postpone parts of its landmark AI regulations, delaying stricter “high risk” rules until December 2027, following pushback from major technology firms.

The move, outlined in a so-called “Digital Omnibus” package, aims to simplify Europe’s complex regulatory landscape while keeping the rules robust, a Commission official said during a briefing. “Simplification is not deregulation. Simplification means that we are taking a critical look at our regulatory landscape,” the official added, according to Reuters.

The delay affects high-risk AI applications in areas including biometric identification, job applications and exams, health services, creditworthiness checks, law enforcement, road traffic applications, and utilities supply. Consent procedures for pop-up cookies would also be simplified under the proposal.

The Digital Omnibus package covers the AI Act, which became law last year, as well as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the e-Privacy Directive, and the Data Act. Proposed GDPR changes would allow companies such as Alphabet’s Google, Meta, OpenAI, and other tech firms to use Europeans’ personal data for training AI models.

The Commission’s decision follows a similar pattern of easing regulations after backlash from business groups and international stakeholders, mirroring past adjustments to environmental legislation. While some provisions are delayed, the EU emphasized that the overall framework remains strong and aimed at ensuring safe and responsible AI deployment.