The EU must champion the AI Act amidst simplification pressure

Along with 52 international organisations, experts, and academics, we have addressed an open letter to the European Commission strongly opposing the increasing pressure to simplify and revisiting the already adopted Artificial Intelligence Act. This Act represents the first attempt at comprehensive regulation in this field, and the task of European institutions is to ensure its proper implementation, not to halt or water down the regulation before it even takes effect.

The letter is a response to the Commission's intent to adopt a so-called "digital simplification package" and to recent calls from some member states to postpone the law's implementation (i.e. "stop the clock"). We strongly oppose any attempts to weaken the hard-won rights and key mechanisms for protecting individuals, enshrined in the legislation, under the pretext of "simplifying measures".

We warn that such attempts are part of a broader and dangerous trend of deregulation in the EU, which threatens fundamental rights, environmental protection, and democratic mechanisms. The simplification agenda must not become an excuse for dismantling regulations, especially without credible evidence of its necessity or effectiveness. The European Union's legal order is based on values such as the protection of rights and consumers; therefore, any amendment must strengthen these foundations, rather than undermine them.

Therefore, we urge the Commission to:

• Prioritise the full implementation and proper enforcement of the AI Act instead of re-opening or delaying its implementation.

• Refrain from pursuing a deregulation agenda and instead champion the proper enforcement and implementation of the AI Act and the wider EU digital rulebook.

• Ensure all proposals follow a transparent and inclusive process and that any proposed measures be strictly based on evidence and necessity, including a comprehensive impact assessment and an inclusive public consultation.

• The AI Office must prioritise developing and strengthening key governance bodies under the AI Act.

Furthermore, we will demand that the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Slovenian Government reject the proposals for deregulation in the Council of the EU, and that they also adopt a law on the implementation of the Act in Slovenia as soon as possible.

Read the entire open letter and support our fight for protection of digital rights.