EU rules for advanced AI are step in wrong direction, Google says

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🗞️ Driving the news: Google and Meta are pushing back against the EU's proposed "code of practice" for advanced AI models, calling it "unworkable" and a "step in the wrong direction"
• The voluntary guidelines aim to regulate AI systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Llama, ensuring transparency on training data and systemic risks
• The criticism comes just ahead of the AI Action Summit in Paris, where EU leaders hope to showcase a tech-friendly stance

🔭 The context: The EU AI Act, passed last summer, set the foundation for AI regulations, and the new code seeks to expand on its principles
• Big Tech argues the additional requirements—covering copyright, third-party testing, and risk mitigation—exceed the original scope and add unnecessary burdens
• The backlash is part of broader tensions between US tech firms and the EU, which has faced increasing criticism over its digital regulations

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: AI plays a critical role in climate modeling, energy optimization, and environmental monitoring, making its regulation crucial for responsible deployment
• If the EU's strict approach stifles innovation, it could slow AI-driven sustainability solutions
• However, a lack of regulation could also lead to unchecked risks, including biases and misinformation affecting climate discourse

⏭️ What's next: The AI Action Summit in Paris will be a key moment in determining whether Big Tech companies like Google and Meta sign the code
• The EU aims to finalize the voluntary framework by April 2025, but industry resistance may force revisions
If major players refuse to comply, the EU could consider stricter mandatory regulations in response

💬 One quote: "The plan is a step in the wrong direction at a time when Europe seeks to restore its competitiveness." — Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs

📈 One stat: The EU's AI rulebook, adopted last summer, already covers general-purpose AI models, but companies argue the new code goes beyond those requirements

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