Tech giants, including Meta, Spotify, and Ericsson, have raised concerns over the European Union's (EU) current technology regulations, cautioning that these rules might limit the region's ability to fully harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI). In an open letter, executives from over two dozen companies, alongside researchers and trade groups, highlighted that AI has the capability to drive productivity and economic growth. However, they warned that Europe risks falling behind other regions due to inconsistent regulatory decisions.
The letter, signed by representatives from German software company SAP and industrial giant Thyssenkrupp, stressed that Europe's competitiveness and innovation have already been impacted compared to other regions. The signatories urged the EU to create a more favorable environment for AI development to ensure that Europe can keep pace in the AI era.
The European Commission, the EU's executive body, responded by stating that it is committed to supporting AI innovation. The commission also emphasized that the upcoming justice commissioner will ensure that the EU's data protection laws address both legal and commercial needs effectively.
The open letter follows announcements from Meta and Apple that they will not introduce certain AI features in Europe due to regulatory constraints. Apple recently revealed that its AI system, Apple Intelligence, would not be available to European iPhone users in 2024, citing uncertainties caused by the EU’s new digital-competition law. Similarly, in July, Meta announced that it would delay the release of a future multimodal AI model in the EU due to the unpredictable regulatory environment.
The tech industry warns that without more consistent and supportive policies, Europe may lose out on the economic and technological benefits of AI, especially as other regions, such as the United States and China, continue to advance rapidly in the field.