Apple has chosen not to sign the European Union’s new voluntary AI pact, joining Meta as a notable holdout, despite support from major industry players such as OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.
The pact, aimed at encouraging early compliance with the EU’s upcoming Artificial Intelligence Act, has garnered signatures from 115 companies, including Amazon, Adobe, and Samsung. The agreement is designed to prepare companies for the AI Act, which will be implemented gradually in the coming years.
While Apple has stated it is “engaged” with EU regulatory bodies on AI features for European users, its decision to reject the pact suggests ongoing tensions between the company and EU authorities over AI and other regulatory matters. This move could signal delays in the rollout of Apple’s AI-driven technologies in Europe, potentially affecting upcoming products like the iPhone 16.
Apple’s stance aligns with Meta, which has also declined to sign the agreement, citing concerns about the unpredictability of the European regulatory environment. Both companies have previously delayed the release of AI-driven features in Europe, highlighting broader apprehension about the EU’s strict regulatory approach.
The AI pact is part of the EU’s broader effort to regulate the digital economy, including recent legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Markets Act. However, some industry experts argue that this wave of regulation could stifle innovation in Europe’s tech sector. Smaller companies, in particular, have voiced concerns over the rising costs of compliance, which could prompt more firms to leave the European market for less regulated environments like the US.
With input from 9 to 5 Mac, News Media Alliance, Deutsche Welle.
