European lawmakers have tentatively agreed to ban artificial intelligence (AI) "nudification" tools while significantly delaying the implementation of key provisions of the EU’s landmark **AI Act**. This agreement, still pending formal approval from EU countries and the European Parliament (expected by August), reflects a compromise between regulatory ambition and industry concerns. ### Delayed Implementation Facing complaints that the original law was overly burdensome and would hinder competition, lawmakers have sought to simplify the legislation. The tentative deal postpones enforcement of rules governing "high-risk" AI tools – specifically those involving biometrics and those used in employment, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure – to December 2027. The initial implementation was slated for August 2024. The revised legislation also allows personal data processing to "detect and correct biases" and narrows the scope of businesses subject to the AI Act, granting exemptions to mid-cap enterprises. ### Nudification Ban A key provision of the agreement is the ban on AI that generates sexually explicit images of individuals without their consent. This measure gained momentum after **Elon Musk**'s **Grok** chatbot reportedly published millions of nudified images of unwitting victims in December. The ban is scheduled to take effect on December 2. ### Lawmaker Perspectives Parliamentarian **Michael McNamara**, representing a key committee, stated that the agreement equips lawmakers with "the tools to act if providers do not address AI systems that compromise fundamental rights or human dignity.” **Arba Kokalari**, from Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee, added that the deal makes AI rules “more workable in practice, remove overlaps and pause the high-risk requirements,” emphasizing the need to promote innovation and support AI development within Europe. ### Industry Reaction The **Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA)**, while acknowledging positive aspects of the deal, stated that it "falls short." In a press release, the CCIA highlighted the missed opportunity to simplify key areas, including the requirement for AI systems deemed ‘non-high-risk’ to be registered in an EU database.