Rapid technological advances such as the ChatGPT generative artificial intelligence app are complicating efforts by European Union lawmakers to agree on landmark AI laws, sources with direct knowledge of the matter have told Reuters.
But a 5-hour meeting on February 13 resulted in no resolution and lawmakers are at loggerheads over various facets of the Act, according to three sources familiar with the discussions. Legislators have sought to strike a balance between encouraging innovation while protecting citizens’ fundamental rights.
Almost all of the big tech players have stakes in the sector, including Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta.The EU discussions have raised concerns for companies – from small startups to Big Tech – on how regulations might affect their business and whether they would be at a competitive disadvantage against rivals from other continents.
Representatives from tech companies have pushed back against such moves, insisting their own in-house guidelines are robust enough to ensure the technology is deployed safely, and even suggesting the Act should have an opt-in clause, under which firms can decide for themselves whether the regulations apply.Google-owned AI firm DeepMind, which is currently testing its own AI chatbot Sparrow, told Reuters the regulation of multi-purpose systems was complex.