In the technological sphere, it’s often said that while America leads in innovation, China follows suit with imitation, and the European Union takes up the reins of regulation. Predictions of a bleak future for Europe and the potential adverse implications of regulation on technological advancement have largely stemmed from within the tech industry itself, suggesting a certain lack of impartiality. However, there may be some validity to these concerns.
The priority for the EU has been to put regulations in place to control powerful tech entities, thus influencing emerging technologies like generative AI. This imposes additional obligations on these firms, requiring them to adhere to more rigorous regulations than those that exist elsewhere.
Take the case of Apple as an example. The tech giant recently declared that its new operating system would incorporate AI. But while the gradual rollout of new features will occur as planned for customers in the US and beyond, Apple has chosen to suspend their launch in Europe. This decision is primarily rooted in regulatory uncertainties, forming part of a broader trend.
Google’s unveiling of its AI last year followed a similar pattern. Although it initially launched only in the United States, when the AI tools were incorporated into the now-known system, Gemini, European Union countries were not among the first to receive the features. Meta has also halted plans to use publicly available data on its platforms to develop models for its AI. These new AI regulations, while safeguarding privacy rights, will unfortunately result in knowledge-based services being delayed, if not completely stalled, in Europe.
In light of past experiences, allowing tech giants unrestricted freedom doesn’t seem to be a sensible approach. However, it’s essential for EU policy makers to strike a balance between the protection of data and the implementation of safeguards, while ensuring that European companies do not lag in the race for digital innovation.