Meta and Spotify CEOs criticize EU AI rules, saying they limit innovation

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek have raised concerns about current European open-source artificial intelligence (AI) regulations, suggesting the rules could hinder Europe’s progress in AI, Reuters reports.

In a joint statement Friday, the two CEOs criticized Europe’s regulatory framework, describing it as fragmented and inconsistent, which they said hinders innovation and slows down developer efforts. They noted that Europe has more open-source developers than the United States, which positions it well to capitalize on the open-source AI trend. But the complex regulatory landscape makes it difficult for these developers to thrive.

Zuckerberg and Ek said that instead of clear and simple guidelines, the tech industry in Europe is struggling with overlapping regulations and inconsistent compliance guidelines. They believe that a more streamlined regulatory system would accelerate the development of open-source AI and provide much-needed support to developers across Europe, as well as the broader creator ecosystem.

The concerns of these tech leaders are underscored by recent regulatory action in Europe. In June, Ireland’s privacy regulator asked Meta to delay the launch of its AI models in Europe. The request comes after Meta was ordered to postpone plans to use Facebook and Instagram user data for AI development. As a result, Meta’s new AI models, such as Llama Multimodal, which can interpret images, may not be rolled out to European users.

Zuckerberg and Ek warn that if current regulatory issues are not resolved, Europeans could end up using AI systems designed for other markets rather than those tailored to their specific needs.

Spotify, under CEO Ek’s leadership, has highlighted its early investments in AI, which have been instrumental in creating personalized user experiences and driving the streaming service’s success. Both Zuckerberg and Ek have criticized current European regulations, which they believe are counterproductive to strengthening European sovereignty and competitiveness. They advocate simplifying and harmonizing regulations, leveraging the benefits of Europe’s status as a single but diverse market.

In their joint statement, the CEOs called for a new approach that includes clearer rules and more consistent enforcement, warning that without these changes, Europe risks losing a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to lead in AI.

Featured image courtesy of dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

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