Observed Signal · Jul 4, 2025 · Policy Update · Source: Trending Topics · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Negative
European CEOs demand two-year AI Act delay
Nearly 50 leading European CEOs, including Eric Demuth (Bitpanda), Arthur Mensch (Mistral), and Mati Staniszewski (ElevenLabs), have signed an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanding a two-year suspension of the AI Act. The signatories argue that the current regulation disrupts the balance between innovation and regulation and endangers Europe's competitiveness in AI. They cite unclear, overlapping, and increasingly complex EU rules that hinder the development of European AI champions. The letter specifically requests a 'clock-stop' before the main obligations for high-risk AI systems (due August 2026) and general-purpose AI models (due August 2025) take effect. The pause would allow companies implementation time and the Commission to simplify the rules. EU Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen has indicated a decision on a possible delay by the end of August, pending the completion of a code of conduct. The CEOs represent companies from various sectors employing hundreds of thousands across Europe.
Major regulatory policy news from the EU affecting AI model deployment and compliance for all tech companies operating in Europe. The AI Act is a foundational regulation for AdTech/MarTech/AI industries.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Nearly 50 European CEOs signed an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanding a two-year suspension of the AI Act.
- The letter asks for a 'clock-stop' before the AI Act's main obligations for high-risk AI systems (August 2026) and general-purpose AI models (August 2025).
- EU Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen indicated she would decide on a possible delay by the end of August.
- Signatories include CEOs from Adyen, Airbus, ASML, Axa, Bitpanda, Mistral, ElevenLabs, Mercedes-Benz, Publicis, and Siemens Energy.
- Germany's Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has set up an AI service desk to help companies comply with the regulation.
Connected Companies & Entities
25 Entities mapped“Eric Demuth (Bitpanda) signed the open letter....”
“Mati Staniszewski (ElevenLabs) signed the open letter....”
“Arthur Mensch (Mistral) signed the open letter....”
“Ingo Uytdehaage, Adyen NV, signed the open letter....”
“Christophe Fouquet, ASML, signed the open letter....”
“Thomas Buberl, Axa, signed the open letter....”
“Ola Källenius, Mercedes-Benz, signed the open letter....”
“Bastian Nominacher, Celonis, signed the open letter....”
“Christian Gisy, OLX Group, signed the open letter....”
“Maurice Lévy, Publicis, signed the open letter....”
“Hanno Renner, Personio, signed the open letter....”
“Harold Goddijn, TomTom, signed the open letter....”
“Philippe Corrot, Mirakl, signed the open letter....”
“Ilkka Paananen, Supercell, signed the open letter....”
“Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, BNP Paribas, signed the open letter....”
“Alexandre Bompard, Carrefour, signed the open letter....”
“Michał Borkowski, Brainly, signed the open letter....”
“Fabricio Bloisi, Prosus, signed the open letter....”
“Ralph Dommermuth, United Internet, signed the open letter....”
“Robin Rombach, Black Forest Labs, signed the open letter....”
“Malte Kosub, Parloa, signed the open letter....”
“Patrick Pouyanné, TotalEnergies, signed the open letter....”
“Dr. Daniel Gebler, Picnic, signed the open letter....”
“Daniel Krauss, Flix, signed the open letter....”
“Roy Jakobs, Philips, signed the open letter....”
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