Apple, Meta Platforms, and other major technology firms may soon benefit from a partial reprieve under the European Union’s landmark Artificial Intelligence Act, as regulators consider scaling back or delaying parts of the law to simplify implementation and reduce industry friction.

According to a draft proposal seen by Reuters, the European Commission is preparing to unveil a package of targeted regulatory adjustments known as the Digital Omnibus on November 19. The initiative is designed to streamline recent EU regulations, following widespread complaints from corporations and foreign governments about overlapping compliance burdens.

The draft document says the Commission aims to introduce “targeted simplification measures” to ensure “timely, smooth, and proportionate implementation” of the AI Act, which was adopted last year and applies a risk-based framework to artificial intelligence systems across the bloc.

Among the proposed changes:

  • Exemptions for companies from registering AI systems in the EU’s database if those systems are used only for narrow or procedural tasks, rather than core decision-making processes.
  • A one-year grace period delaying the imposition of financial penalties until August 2, 2027, allowing businesses more time to adapt.
  • A transitional period for implementing requirements that compel AI providers to label machine-generated content, a rule meant to combat deepfakes and online misinformation.

The move comes amid intense lobbying by large tech companies and pushback from the U.S. administration, both of which have argued that the EU’s sweeping regulatory approach risks stifling innovation and increasing compliance costs for global firms operating in Europe.

The Commission’s decision mirrors similar recent adjustments to other high-profile EU policies, including environmental and digital rules, that have been watered down after sustained industry criticism.

EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen is expected to present the final version of the Digital Omnibus later this month, though officials stressed that details could still change before its formal publication.

If approved, the revisions would mark a significant recalibration of the EU’s regulatory approach to AI — balancing consumer protection and market fairness with growing concerns about overregulation in the digital economy.