Top Stories – July 22, 2026
1. EU AI Act Transparency Code Signatory Deadline Closes Today at 18:00 CEST
Source: ActReady | Date: July 22, 2026
Companies within the scope of EU AI Act Article 50 have until 18:00 CEST tonight to sign the Code of Practice on Transparency of AI-Generated Content and secure initial-signatory status, granting a presumption of conformity when chatbot disclosure, AI-generated content marking, and deepfake labeling obligations become enforceable on August 2. Non-signatories lose this protection and face heightened scrutiny from regulators from day one of enforcement.
2. TCAI Report: 84 New State AI Laws Enacted in 27 States, Surpassing 2025 Full-Year Total
Source: Transparency Coalition for AI | Date: July 21, 2026
The Transparency Coalition’s mid-year report finds 84 AI-related laws enacted in 27 states during the first half of 2026 - already exceeding last year’s full-year total of 73 - with child safety concerns emerging as the top cross-partisan AI policy priority for state legislators. California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Michigan still have active AI measures pending.
3. EU Digital Omnibus Still Absent from Official Journal - 11 Days to August 2
Source: DLA Piper | Date: July 22, 2026
The Digital Omnibus - signed July 8 and carrying the Annex III high-risk AI deferral to December 2027 - remains unpublished in the EU Official Journal as of today; it must appear by approximately July 30 for the mandatory three-day entry-into-force period to clear before the August 2 enforcement date. Until published, companies cannot formally rely on the extended deadline.