EU Bans AI Sexualized Deepfakes; Delays High-Risk AI Rules to 2027/2028
The EU has banned AI systems generating sexualized deepfakes, prompted by outrage over Grok's non-consensual nudes. This new rule will be part of the 2024 AI Act. Additionally, the implementation of high-risk AI rules has been delayed to 2027/2028 to support businesses and innovation.
The European Union has agreed to ban artificial intelligence systems that generate sexualized deepfakes. This decision follows global outrage earlier this year over non-consensual nudes produced by Elon Musk's chatbot Grok.
Irish Independent MEP Michael McNamara stated, «Today the EU has drawn a red line. AI must never be used to humiliate, exploit or endanger people. For the first time, EU legislation explicitly bans nudifier applications.» This ban will be incorporated into the EU's comprehensive AI rules, adopted in 2024.
EU negotiators also agreed to delay the implementation of high-risk AI rules, which concern models potentially dangerous to safety, health, or fundamental rights. These rules, initially set for August 2026 for stand-alone systems and August 2027 for embedded tools, are now pushed back to December 2027 and August 2028, respectively.
The EU executive proposed these amendments last year to support businesses and foster innovation, while still aiming to guide safe AI development through other provisions of the AI Act. The EU is also scrutinizing powerful AI models like Anthropic's Mythos, which the company fears could aid hackers. The EU's AI Office, starting enforcement in August 2026, will have access to internal safety practices and models if needed.