Updated AI Act timeline: the new deadlines
The next implementation phase of the EU AI Act begins on 2 August 2026, but with the recent approval of the Digital Omnibus on AI, several provisions and key deadlines have changed. The Knowledge Centre Data & Society has created an updated AI Act timeline that we believe will be very useful for Beltug members. We appreciate the work of the Knowledge Centre and thank them for sharing.
23 / 07 / 26
The Digital Omnibus is a first step toward simplifying Europe’s fragmented digital regulatory landscape. Beltug recently published a position on the Single Entry Point (SEP) for the Digital Omnibus, which aims to simplify incident reporting. For the AI Act specifically, the Knowledge Centre Data & Society has created a revised AI Act timeline.
The downloadable, colour-coded timeline brings key compliance dates together in one clear overview. It shows which deadlines have shifted, which have not, and which are entirely new, through 31 December 2030. The timeline includes practical insight into how these changes affect the different stages of AI Act implementation.
Key amendments to the AI Act
On the webpage, the Knowledge Centre Data & Society also highlights key amendments to the AI Act on:
- the AI literacy obligation
- the processing of special categories of personal data
- the introduction of new prohibited AI practices
- postponement of high-risk rules
- an override rule in favour of certain, specified AI systems
- changes to the Machinery Regulation
- a broader SME exemption for small mid-caps enterprises (SMCs)
- the possibility of limited requirements for certain high-risk AI systems
- an expanded remit for the AI Office
- next steps