Source: Politico Europe

Politico Europe traces the EU’s recent and unexpected shift in approach to AI regulation. Initially focused on a strict, risk-based regulatory model through the AI Act, the European Commission and key member states are now signaling a more flexible and innovation-oriented stance. The turnaround is attributed to lobbying from industry leaders, geopolitical pressure, and fears of losing ground to the U.S. and China in AI innovation.

The article explains that newer proposals seek to reduce bureaucratic burdens, especially for startups and non-high-risk AI systems, while still preserving fundamental rights protections. The shift reflects a growing awareness that overly rigid laws could hamper Europe’s competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

While some welcome the pragmatic pivot, others warn that loosening the rules could weaken safeguards and ethical oversight, particularly in sensitive areas like facial recognition or automated decision-making.