ECNL, along with CDT Europe, the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and European Digital Rights (EDRi), co-drafted a letter signed by 50+ civil society organisations, experts and academics to express our concerns about the announced simplification of the EU AI Act in the context of the forthcoming digital omnibus proposal.
The letter calls on the Commission to refrain from delaying or reopening the AI Act and therefore undermining hard-won fundamental rights protections in the EU digital acquis. It similarly raises concerns over increased calls to suspend or delay the implementation and enforcement of the AI Act.
In light of the growing trend of de-regulation and increasing challenges with AI Act implementation, the letter asks the Commission to:
- Focus on the complete execution and robust enforcement of the AI Act, rather than revisiting or postponing its enactment.
- Avoid promoting a deregulation agenda and instead advocate for the effective enforcement and application of the AI Act and the broader EU digital framework.
- Ensure all initiatives follow an open and inclusive process, with any proposed actions being strictly grounded in evidence and necessity, including a thorough impact analysis and an inclusive public dialogue.
- The AI Office should prioritise enhancing and reinforcing essential governance entities under the AI Act.
The AI Act focuses on truly “high-risk” AI – systems which, if not checked, can profoundly impact people’s rights. Any attempts to undermine the hard-won safeguards introduced by the AI Act under the guise of “simplification” will inevitably harm people’s fundamental rights in danger, ultimately putting into question whether AI developed or used in the EU can be trustworthy.
- ECNL's Karolina Iwanska