SUMMARY:

• on 18th March, IMCO and LIBE committees have adopted their draft report on the Digital Omnibus on AI, with 101 votes in favour, 9 against, and 8 abstentions.
• In line with the Council, the Parliament’s position also includes delaying key obligations for high-risk AI systems, with proposed new fixed application dates of December 2027 (for Annex III) and August 2028 (for Annex I).
• The report will now move to a plenary vote on 26 March, after which interinstitutional negotiations can begin.

MORE INFORMATION:

All the compromise amendments have been adopted by the MEPs (see attached).

The most relevant amendments for FESI include:

• Delaying key obligations for high-risk AI systems, with proposed new application dates of December 2027 (Annex I) and August 2028 (Annex I).
• An obligation for providers and deployers of AI systems to take measures to support the improvement of AI literacy of their staff, along with an obligation for the Commission to issue guidance to help providers and deployers implementing this obligation (article 4).
• Reinstates the mandatory registration for non-high-risk systems but allows simplified procedures (Article 6(3)).
• Keeps the shift towards general guidance and Code of practices instead of implementing acts (for Articles 50, 56, 72).

More information here: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2024_2029/plmrep/COMMITTEES/LIBE/DV/2026/03-18/FinalCAs-AIOmnibus_16032026_EN.pdf

NEXT STEPS:

• Once Parliament’s mandate is approved in plenary (vote expected on 26 March), trilogues negotiations with Council can begin.
• If finalized by April, this will ensure that high-risk AI obligations are postponed, with a new timeline foreseeing application dates in late 2027 and 2028.