Google and Meta have openly criticized European regulation of artificial intelligence this week, suggesting that it will hinder the region’s innovation potential.
Representatives from Facebook’s parent company, along with Spotify, SAP, Ericsson, Klarna, and more, signed an open letter to Europe expressing concerns about inconsistent regulatory decision-making.
The interventions from European Data Protection Authorities have created uncertainty about the data that can be used to train AI models. The signatories are calling for consistent and quick decisions surrounding data regulations that allow for the use of European data, similar to GDPR.
The letter also highlights that the bloc will miss out on the latest “open” AI models and “multimodal” models, which accept various inputs and generate outputs in different formats.
By hindering innovation in these areas, regulators are depriving Europeans of technological advances enjoyed in other regions like the U.S., China, and India. Without access to European data, the models won’t understand or reflect European knowledge, culture, or languages.
“We want to see Europe succeed and thrive, including in the field of cutting-edge AI research and technology,” the letter reads. “But the reality is Europe has become less competitive and less innovative compared to other regions, risking falling further behind in the AI era due to inconsistent regulatory decision-making.”
Google Suggests Copyrighted Data Could be Allowed to Train Commercial Models
Google has also raised concerns about laws in the U.K. that prevent AI models from being trained on copyrighted materials.
Debbie Weinstein, Google’s U.K. managing director, emphasized the need for proactive action to prevent being left behind. She mentioned the unresolved copyright issue as a barrier to development and suggested allowing TDM (text and data mining) for commercial use.
Google has released a document titled “Unlocking the U.K.’s AI Potential,” proposing policy changes like allowing for commercial TDM, setting up publicly-funded computational resources, and launching a national AI skills service.
The document also calls for a pro-innovation regulatory framework managed by public regulators like the Competition and Markets Authority and the Information Commissioner’s Office.
EU’s Regulations Have Impacted Big Tech’s AI Plans
The E.U. represents a significant market for major tech companies, but the implementation of the AI Act and Digital Markets Act has deterred them from launching their latest AI products in the region.
Meta, for example, delayed the training of its large language models on public content shared by adults on Facebook and Instagram in Europe due to regulatory pushback. Apple also postponed the release of its generative AI capabilities, Apple Intelligence, in the E.U. citing regulatory uncertainties from the Digital Markets Act.
According to Apple spokesperson Fred Sainz, the company is concerned about the interoperability requirements of the DMA compromising user privacy and data security.
The European Commission stated that all companies are welcome to offer their services in Europe as long as they comply with E.U. legislation.
UK’s Own AI Regulations Remain Unclear
The U.K. government’s stance on AI regulation has been mixed, with concerns that over-regulating could deter major tech players.
The incoming AI Bill will focus on large ChatGPT-style models created by a few companies and aims to make voluntary agreements legally binding. It also plans to turn the AI Safety Institute into an independent government body.
Regulations, while intended to keep consumers safe, may delay the rollout of new products and limit access to the latest technologies. Meta has taken advantage of the U.K.’s lack of immediate regulation by training its AI systems on public content shared on Facebook and Instagram in the country.
The Labour government shelved £1.3 billion in funding earmarked for AI and tech innovation by the Conservatives, indicating a strict approach to regulating AI developers.
No Comment! Be the first one.