EU agrees to simplify AI rules to boost innovation and ban ‘nudification' apps to protect citizens

08 May 2026

The European Commission welcomed the political agreement reached on 7 May 2026 between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on simpler, innovation-friendly rules for artificial intelligence (AI).

The Commission proposed the Digital Omnibus on AI only five months ago as part of the EU's simplification agenda to boost Europe's competitiveness. This will make the implementation of the AI Act for EU businesses easier while maintaining its benefits for European society, safety and fundamental rights.

The agreement sets a clear implementation timeline for the rules governing high-risk AI systems. Rules for systems used in certain high-risk areas — including biometrics, critical infrastructure, education, employment, migration, asylum and border control — will apply from 2 December 2027. For systems integrated into products such as lifts or toys, the rules will apply from 2 August 2028. This sequencing will help ensure that technical standards and other support tools are in place before the rules start to apply.

The agreement also strengthens protection for citizens. It prohibits AI systems that generate non-consensual sexually explicit and intimate content or child sexual abuse material, such as AI ‘nudification' apps.

For businesses, the agreement introducessimpler rules and clearer governance. Certain privileges for small and medium-sized enterprises are extended to small mid-cap companies. The interplay between the AI Act and EU product safety laws, in particular the Machinery Regulation, was also clarified, avoiding duplication between sectoral and AI rules. More innovators will also gain access to regulatory sandboxes, including an EU-level sandbox, to test their AI solutions in real-world conditions. The Commission AI Office's enforcement powers will be strengthened to support oversight of certain AI systems, including those built on general-purpose models and those embedded in very large online platforms and very large search engines. 

This agreement will deliver safer and simpler rules for both citizens and businesses. The Digital Omnibus on AI also complements existing support initiatives, including the AI Act Service desk and the upcoming guidelines on the classification of high-risk systems and transparency obligations.

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