Commentary about the EU AI Act's timeline can be out of date, because the dates were changed after the Act entered into force. This post sets out the change as the amending regulation states it.
What did the Digital Omnibus on AI change?
Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 of 8 July 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (the AI Act), Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, and Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, as regards the simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence.
- High-risk systems classified under Article 6(2) and Annex III: the relevant rules in Chapter III, Sections 1 to 3, apply from 2 December 2027.
- High-risk systems classified under Article 6(1) and Annex I: the same rules apply from 2 August 2028.
- New prohibitions in Article 5(1a) and 5(1b) apply from 2 December 2026.
- The earlier date of 2 August 2026 is no longer the date for those high-risk rules.
Why does this matter for buyers?
If a vendor, a contract, or an article says high-risk obligations applied from August 2026, check it against the amending regulation. Dates differ by how a system is classified, so a single date for all high-risk systems is no longer accurate.
What should I check?
- Which category your system falls into: Annex III or Annex I.
- The consolidated text of the AI Act on EUR-Lex, for the dates that apply to your system.
- Any obligations that are unaffected by this change.
- Advice from counsel for your situation. This post is general information.
The act and its amendment are recorded, with sources and verification dates, in the policy tracker.
Frequently asked questions
Did the EU AI Act's high-risk rules start applying on 2 August 2026?
Not under the amended text. Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 sets 2 December 2027 for systems classified as high-risk under Article 6(2) and Annex III, and 2 August 2028 for those under Article 6(1) and Annex I.
Is the Digital Omnibus on AI law, or still a proposal?
It is an adopted regulation, dated 8 July 2026 and published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Its text is on EUR-Lex.
What else did the amendment change?
It adds new prohibitions in Article 5(1a) and 5(1b) that apply from 2 December 2026, and amends two other regulations on machinery and civil aviation. Check the consolidated text for other changes.
Where should I check the current dates?
On EUR-Lex, in the consolidated version of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689. Dates depend on how a system is classified, so confirm the classification with your counsel.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 (Digital Omnibus on AI) — European Parliament and Council of the European Union, via EUR-Lex, accessed .
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act) — European Parliament and Council of the European Union, via EUR-Lex, accessed .