Sweden Pushes Back: Prime Minister Calls for AI Act Delay
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has publicly called for a pause in the implementation of the EU AI Act, describing the regulation as “confusing” and raising concerns about the absence of common technical standards across Member States. This marks the first time a European head of government has taken a public stance on delaying the Act’s rollout, ahead of discussions with other EU leaders this week.
The AI Act, adopted in 2023, introduces a risk-based framework for regulating artificial intelligence across the EU. It includes specific obligations for developers and deployers of “high-risk” AI systems, as well as general-purpose AI (GPAI) models, such as those developed by OpenAI, Mistral, and Google. These obligations include transparency measures, documentation requirements, compliance with EU copyright laws, and controls on training data.
While the regulation is already in force, its requirements will take effect gradually between 2025 and 2026. However, many of the practical standards businesses need to comply with have yet to be finalised. Notably, the AI Code of Practice, intended to guide implementation, missed its original May 2025 publication deadline and is now expected to be published at the end of the year.
In light of this delay, Kristersson and others argue that continuing the rollout as planned could create legal uncertainty and potentially hinder innovation. A coalition of European businesses, including major players in technology and manufacturing, has echoed these concerns, calling for a two-year “clock-stop” on enforcement until the necessary guidelines are in place.
If such a delay were granted, it would provide businesses with additional time to prepare, assess their compliance obligations, and adapt their internal processes. It would also give policymakers space to review and possibly simplify overlapping regulatory requirements.
For companies operating or planning to scale AI solutions in the EU, the situation remains fluid. It will be important to monitor developments closely, particularly in relation to the finalisation of technical standards and any formal decisions from the European Commission regarding a postponement.
Implications for Business
Legal Uncertainty: Without clear technical standards, companies face difficulty assessing whether their AI systems are compliant, increasing the risk of non-compliance or over-compliance.
Compliance Costs: Many businesses, especially smaller developers, may need to invest in legal and technical expertise to prepare for a regulatory framework that is still evolving.
Innovation Risk: Unclear obligations may delay the development and launch of AI-based products or services in the EU market.
Strategic Decisions: Some businesses may re-evaluate their AI operations in Europe if regulatory expectations remain uncertain or disproportionate to market opportunity.
The EU’s Response
Since then, the European Commission has confirmed it will not delay the rollout or enforcement of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, despite ongoing discussions.
Speaking at a press briefing on 4th July, Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier dismissed speculation around a possible postponement, as the August deadline for compliance with general-purpose AI requirements nears, despite the voluntary GPAI code of practice still pending publication.
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