Tech executives slam Europe's regulatory approach to AI development

At the Techarena tech conference in Stockholm, Sweden, held on February 21, 2025, key executives from Google and Meta voiced significant concerns regarding the European Union's stringent regulation of artificial intelligence. Chris Yiu, Meta's director of public policy, highlighted that excessive regulations hinder technological innovation and development within Europe, particularly regarding the rollout of AI products, such as the company’s Ray-Ban branded AI glasses. He mentioned that the complexities of the European regulatory landscape have contributed to delays in product launches, impeding the tech giant's progress in the region. Dorothy Chou, head of public policy at Google DeepMind, echoed Yiu's sentiments, pointing out that the formulation of the EU's AI Act preceded the emergence of impactful AI technologies like OpenAI's ChatGPT. This disconnect raises concerns about the suitability and effectiveness of existing regulations in meeting the rapid advancements within the AI sector. Chou suggested that better policy frameworks could foster a more favorable investment climate, drawing parallels with the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, which has successfully incentivized technological advancements. Kent Walker, Google's president of global affairs, further criticized the EU's current approach, labeling the code of practice for general-purpose AI models as problematic due to its excessive demands. According to Walker, the regulations impose requirements that go beyond what is necessary, leading to unfeasible expectations for AI development. The dialogue surrounding the regulatory environment has intensified, particularly with the backing of the Trump administration, which has advocated for more lenient tech regulations in Europe. In response to these regulatory challenges, tech leaders, including those from the startup community, called for efforts to streamline and harmonize regulations across Europe to bolster innovation and competition. The focus is on moving beyond existing frameworks like GDPR and the AI Act to create an ecosystem conducive to technological breakthroughs that excite both investors and consumers, thereby ensuring that Europe does not fall behind in the global race for AI and other emerging technologies.