Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 21, 2026
The EU just rewrote the AI Act's timetable. Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 — the Digital Omnibus on AI — delays the heaviest high-risk obligations to 2027 and 2028, ties them to a readiness trigger instead of a fixed date, and adds two new prohibitions that bite in 2026. Here's what changed, in plain English, with infographics.
On 2 August 2026, the toughest parts of the EU AI Act were supposed to switch on. They won't. A new law — the Digital Omnibus on AI, carried in the Official Journal as Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 — rewrites the AI Act's timetable, hands most teams a year or more of breathing room, and draws two brand-new red lines that take effect sooner, not later. Here is what actually changed, and what it means if you build, deploy, or fine-tune AI in Europe. The AI Act itself — Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 — became law in 2024 and switches on in stages. The Digital Omnibus on AI does not replace it; it is a tar…