BERLIN, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- German and French leaders on Tuesday urged an innovation-friendly EU regulatory framework for digital technologies, voicing support for a 12-month postponement of the AI Act provisions on high-risk AI systems.

At the Summit on European Digital Sovereignty, held in Berlin on Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the importance of technological competitiveness.

The AI Act was approved by European Union (EU) lawmakers in 2024. To allow governments and companies time to adapt to its regulations, most of its rules will fully apply from Aug. 2, 2026.

The Act defines four levels of risk for AI systems. Technologies that are considered "high-risk" AI systems are subject to strict obligations, including establishing a risk management system and conducting data governance.

A postponement of compliance for high-risk AI systems is a necessity to provide time to advance the innovation agenda, said Macron.

European companies have pledged over 12 billion euros (13.9 billion U.S. dollars) in investments in the digital sector, Merz said at the event.

Over 900 participants, including policymakers and investors, from EU countries attended the summit. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar) Enditem