More than 110 leading European companies, including Airbus, BNP Paribas, ASML, SAP, and Mistral AI, have called on the European Union to delay the implementation of the EU's landmark Artificial Intelligence Act, which is set to begin enforcement on August 2, 2025. These companies argue that the current timelines, combined with vague provisions and the absence of a finalized code of practice for large AI models, risk undermining Europe's innovation, competitiveness, and ambitions in artificial intelligence. They have requested a two-year pause to allow for clearer guidelines and to prevent potential harm to startups and the broader tech ecosystem. Despite this widespread industry pushback, the European Commission has firmly rejected calls for any delay, grace period, or 'stop the clock' mechanism, reaffirming its commitment to the original enforcement schedule. The Commission emphasized that the AI Act will proceed as planned, with key provisions coming into force in August 2025 and high-risk AI model deadlines in 2026. In support of compliance efforts, the EU unveiled a voluntary General-Purpose AI Code of Practice in July 2025. This code aims to assist companies in meeting the AI Act's requirements, focusing on transparency, copyright protections, safety measures, and mitigating systemic risks associated with advanced AI models. Major tech companies such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google are expected to adhere to these new guidelines. The European Commission's spokesperson, Thomas Regnier, reiterated that there will be no pause or delay in the rollout of the AI regulations, despite concerns from industry leaders and some politicians. The EU's approach reflects its determination to regulate AI technologies firmly while balancing innovation and public safety.