European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday pitched using artificial intelligence to streamline administrative procedures for European businesses as part of a broader push to simplify commerce and boost the EU's competitiveness. Speaking at a behind-closed-doors meeting of the European People's Party in Taormina, Sicily, on Oct. 12, von der Leyen said the Commission would introduce an "only once" approach to business reporting. This would let companies submit information once, with AI helping public administrations use the data.
Von der Leyen argued that European companies repeatedly have to report the same information to public authorities, wasting time that businesses — and Europe — cannot afford, according to a copy of her speech seen by POLITICO. "And this is why we will introduce 'Only Once', to report data only once – and with the help of AI the administration will ensure efficient use," she said. The speech marks the first time von der Leyen has explicitly pitched using AI specifically to reduce businesses' administrative workload.
The "only once" principle itself is not new. The Commission already included it in its EU Inc. proposal presented in March 2026, which aims to create a harmonized corporate framework allowing companies to establish and operate businesses more easily across the bloc. Under the EU Inc. proposal, companies could submit information once through an EU-level digital interface, with relevant data automatically transmitted between authorities.
However, the proposal does not specifically envisage using AI to carry out that process. Von der Leyen did not provide details on how the AI-supported system would operate, whether it would apply to all businesses or when the Commission intends to introduce it. In her speech, the Commission president also encouraged governments to get on board with simplification efforts by signing a pact not to add extra requirements when transposing EU-mandated legislation into national regulations.
The central principle, von der Leyen wrote in a letter to EU leaders sent Oct. 12, is that "a rule agreed at European level cannot become more complex when transposed or implemented nationally." Under the proposed pact, capitals would have to identify and justify additional national requirements that go beyond EU legislation, including assessing their impact on businesses and the single market. Zoya Shefatlovich contributed to reporting
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