EU strikes Omnibus deal to soften AI Act and extend deadlines

On 7 May 2026 the European Parliament and Council reached a political agreement on the AI Act “Omnibus” package, a set of amendments designed to simplify Europe’s flagship AI rulebook before its toughest provisions take effect this summer.

The deal pushes back compliance deadlines for high-risk AI systems, which would otherwise have applied from 2 August 2026, and expands the simplified compliance regime: companies with up to 750 employees and €150 million in revenue now qualify for the lighter SME path, gaining access to regulatory sandboxes, reduced fines, and standardised documentation.

Brussels did not only soften: the Omnibus introduces a new ban on “nudifier” applications that generate non-consensual sexually explicit material or CSAM, effective 2 December 2026. It also cuts the grace period for AI-generated content transparency from six months to three.

Formal adoption by the Parliament and Council is expected by July 2026.

Sources: Council of the EU · European Commission · TechPolicy.Press analysis