The European Union is preparing a set of rules for AI developers that will tighten requirements for algorithm transparency, risk mitigation, and copyright compliance. In response, the United States accused the EU of discriminating against American companies and called the rules unrealistic.
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According to Bloomberg, the US diplomatic mission to the EU has sent a letter to the European Commission demanding that it reconsider its proposed code of practice for AI. Several European governments have received similar requests arguing against the code in its current form.
While the requirements are advisory, they are intended to help tech companies comply with the EU’s forthcoming AI Act, and breaches could result in fines of up to 7% of a company’s global turnover. At the same time, critics say the proposed regulations go beyond the law and create unnecessary bureaucratic burdens.
It is noted that Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the EU for its strict regulation of the technology sector, calling it a “form of taxation” of American companies. He said this in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Earlier, the head of the House Judiciary Committee, Jim Jordan, also accused the EU of restricting Americans’ freedom of speech.
Meanwhile, major IT corporations have already expressed their disagreement with the new rules. For example, Meta✴ Global Head of Communications Joel Kaplan called the code “unworkable and unrealistic,” stating that the company will not sign it in its current version. An Alphabet representative also criticized the requirements regarding copyright verification and testing of AI models.
Tensions have been strained by the EU’s new €700 million fines against Apple and Meta✴ for violating antitrust rules, which White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes called “economic extortion.”
The code of practice is being developed with the participation of technology companies, rights holders and civil society representatives under the leadership of the European Commission. The final version of the document will be presented next month, after which it must be endorsed by EU institutions and representatives of EU member states.