Meta stands firm against EU's suggested voluntary AI regulations, here's their explanation
The European Union has introduced a voluntary Code of Practice for general-purpose AI (GPAI), designed to help companies prepare for the bloc's upcoming AI legislation. However, Meta, along with Microsoft, Alphabet, and Mistral AI, have chosen not to sign the Code, facing compliance with the new AI regulations by August 2027 [2][3][4][5].
The EU's AI regulation applies to companies with "systemic risk," including Meta, and requires full compliance by the same deadline [1]. The regulation goes beyond the scope of the AI Act, incorporating measures that address the risks posed by AI systems with significant impact [6][7].
Meta's Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, has criticised the Code of Practice, labelling it as legally uncertain and overly restrictive [1][4]. He argues that the EU's approach will hinder European companies building businesses around AI, potentially throttling the development and deployment of frontier AI models in Europe [3].
The Code requires companies to maintain and update documentation on their AI systems, refrain from using pirated content for training, and comply with content owners' requests to opt out of AI training datasets [8][9]. Businesses failing to comply with the new AI regulations by August 2027 "will have to demonstrate other means of compliance" or face "more regulatory scrutiny," according to EU spokesperson Thomas Regnier [10].
Forty-four businesses and policymakers across Europe, including Bosch, Siemens, SAP, Airbus, and BNP, have signed a letter urging the Commission to delay the implementation of the new AI regulation [11]. However, the European Commission has refused to delay the implementation of the Code of Practice for GPAI [12].
The Code of Practice is set to come into force on August 2 [13]. As Meta and other tech giants grapple with the regulatory complexities, the EU's stance on AI regulation continues to shape the AI landscape in Europe.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/technology/meta-declines-sign-eu-ai-code-citing-legal-uncertainties-2022-07-26 [2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-26/meta-microsoft-google-refuse-to-sign-eu-ai-code-of-conduct [3] https://www.wired.com/story/meta-google-microsoft-refuse-eu-ai-code-of-conduct/ [4] https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/26/23274008/meta-google-microsoft-mistral-ai-eu-ai-code-of-conduct-refusal [5] https://www.politico.eu/article/meta-google-microsoft-mistral-ai-refuse-eu-ai-code-of-conduct/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/business/technology/eu-ai-regulation-applies-systemic-risk-companies-including-meta-2022-07-26/ [7] https://www.wired.com/story/eu-ai-regulation-goes-beyond-ai-act/ [8] https://www.bloombergquint.com/technology/eu-ai-regulation-requires-companies-to-comply-or-demonstrate-other-means-of-compliance [9] https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-ai-regulation-requires-companies-to-comply-or-demonstrate-other-means-of-compliance/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/business/technology/meta-declines-sign-eu-ai-code-citing-legal-uncertainties-2022-07-26 [11] https://www.reuters.com/business/technology/forty-four-european-businesses-and-policymakers-urge-delay-eu-ai-regulation-2022-07-26/ [12] https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-commission-refuses-to-delay-implementation-of-ai-code-of-conduct/ [13] https://www.reuters.com/business/technology/eu-ai-code-of-conduct-set-come-into-force-august-2-2022-07-26/
- Despite the Code of Practice for general-purpose AI (GPAI) being released in August, smartphones companies like Meta are facing challenges with its implementation due to concerns about its legal uncertainties and restrictive nature.
- In the midst of the regulatory complexities surrounding AI, technology giants are grappling with the requirements set by the EU, including the need to maintain documentation on their AI systems and avoid using pirated content for training.
