Navigating the EU Artificial Intelligence Act

The Commission says it proposed targeted amendments to the AI Act (the 'AI omnibus') as part of the digital simplification package[1] in November 2025, and that the amendments were adopted in June 2026 and entered into force in 27 July 2026.[1]ActuIA reports that the omnibus Regulation 2026/1744 delays high-risk rules to 2 December 2027.[3] According to ActuIA, the prohibited practices and AI literacy have applied since 2 February 2025, the obligations for general-purpose AI models since 2 August 2025 and the transparency rules of Article 50 since 2 August 2026.[3]Al Jazeera reports that under Article 50, chatbots and other AI systems that interact directly with people must disclose that users are dealing with AI unless the context makes that obvious.[4] The broadcaster says breaches can bring fines of up to 15 million euros ($17.3m) or 3 percent of global annual turnover, whichever is higher.[4]Al Jazeera also reports that European Parliament negotiators backed the delay because the technical standards underpinning compliance for high-risk AI systems were not ready in time.[4] According to the outlet, digital rights groups have challenged that explanation, arguing that reopening a recently adopted law risks weakening protections and rewards industry lobbying.[4]The Trade Commissioner Service says the AI Act applies to all companies offering AI systems or services within the EU regardless of whether they are physically based in the EU.[2]According to The Law Journal, Canada does not yet have an AI-specific federal law in force.[5]