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July 4, 2025

EU rejects calls to halt rollout of AI Act after industry backlash: 'No pause. No stop the clock.'

Critics warn further confusion over the law’s enforcement threatens to ‘kill startups’

The EU has rejected widespread industry calls to pause the rollout of its controversial AI Act, while promising to simplify and streamline key pieces of legislation. 

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Martin Coulter

Martin Coulter is Sifted's news editor, based in London. You can follow him on LinkedIn and X

Maya Dharampal-Hornby

Maya Dharampal-Hornby is Sifted's editorial assistant and producer of Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast .

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