EU Moves To Ease AI Compliance For Startups

The European Commission is exploring ways to ease the compliance burden for AI startups struggling with the European Union’s stringent regulatory framework, according to an internal document.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to streamline EU regulations amid growing criticism from businesses about excessive bureaucracy stifling innovation.

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Revisiting The AI Act

“There is an opportunity to minimize the compliance burden of the AI Act, particularly for smaller innovators,” states the document, titled AI Continent Action Plan. The Commission aims to leverage insights from the initial implementation phase to identify further measures that could simplify compliance.

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen is set to unveil the proposal on Wednesday.

The 27-nation bloc approved the AI Act last year, positioning it as the world’s most comprehensive AI regulatory framework—a stark contrast to the U.S.’s voluntary compliance model and China’s state-controlled approach focused on social stability.

Under the AI Act, high-risk AI systems face strict transparency obligations, while general-purpose AI models are subject to lighter requirements. The latest move signals the EU’s willingness to balance oversight with innovation, particularly for startups navigating the complex regulatory landscape.

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Cyprus Tourism Shows Strength As Clean Monday Hotel Bookings Surge

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 18, 2026

Hotels Embrace A Bright Outlook

Recent figures point to growing momentum in hotel reservations ahead of the Clean Monday weekend, signaling renewed confidence in Cyprus’ tourism sector. Christos Angelides, Director of PASYXE, emphasized the positive trend while also underscoring the need to gradually extend the tourism season beyond traditional peak months.

Favorable Conditions And Festive Spirit

Angelides noted that bookings recorded during the past weekend reached encouraging levels, a development attributed to multiple converging factors. The return of sunny weather after prolonged rainfall, coupled with the festive aura of carnival events and children’s parades in cities such as Nicosia, Limassol, and Paphos, has motivated many to opt for short getaways. This seasonal momentum is further boosted by the strategic initiatives of local hotels, many of which are curating special menus for Clean Monday events, offering guests an enhanced stay experience by keeping them on-premise.

Positioning For The Off-Season

Despite the positive indicators, Angelides cautioned that average occupancy rates of 25%–30% highlight the need for continued innovation rather than complacency. He described the current period as part of a longer process of building winter tourism and pointed to opportunities in conferences, corporate events and niche travel segments as potential drivers of year-round demand.

Expanding Air Connectivity and Collective Ecosystem

Industry expectations are further supported by expanded air connections from established markets such as the United Kingdom and Israel, alongside increased routes from Armenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia and Poland. While recovery in the German market remains gradual, broader improvements in connectivity continue to strengthen overall tourism prospects. Angelides added that sustainable year-round tourism depends on a wider ecosystem that extends beyond accommodation to include restaurants, museums, cultural venues and community events.

The Path Forward

Cyprus continues to benefit from strong competitive advantages in climate, accessibility and hospitality infrastructure. With coordinated planning across tourism stakeholders and consistent investment in diversified offerings, the sector is positioned to contribute more steadily to the national economy and support a more balanced, all-season travel model.

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