The European Commission has announced the annual State of the Union address for September 16, 2026. Ursula von der Leyen will present the EU political priorities for the coming months, with the announcement framed around the AI Act regulatory context.
The address takes place on September 16, 2026, from about 9:00 to 11:50 local time at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and will be livestreamed. A debate with members of the European Parliament follows immediately afterward. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present her vision and key initiatives for the year ahead, building on the achievements of the past year.
Companies doing business in the EU have long treated this speech as an early signal for upcoming changes in artificial intelligence law. The Commission explicitly framed this year's announcement within the context of the AI Act, pointing toward policy decisions still to come. Compliance and investment planning for the following months often takes its cue from the priorities set out in this address.
The speech itself creates no binding law, it is a program statement that will be followed by concrete legislative proposals in the coming weeks. It remains open how much weight artificial intelligence will receive this year compared with topics such as security or competitiveness. Companies with EU operations should watch the September 16 livestream and check it against their existing compliance roadmaps.
What this means for decision-makers
- Watch the livestream of the address on September 16, 2026, to catch new AI priorities early.
- Compare the announced initiatives against your existing compliance roadmap for the EU market.
- Hold off on budget decisions for AI projects until the new priorities are confirmed.
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