Meta Platforms has announced it will not immediately join the European Union’s voluntary AI Pact, a temporary initiative designed to guide companies in adhering to future AI regulations ahead of the EU’s AI Act, which is set to take effect in 2026.
A spokesperson for Meta stated that the company is currently focusing on compliance with the AI Act itself but could join the AI Pact at a later date.
The AI Pact, although non-binding, is intended to encourage companies to adopt key obligations of the forthcoming AI Act. These include providing detailed information about the data used to train AI models and assessing whether their tools may be deployed in high-risk scenarios, such as in education or law enforcement.
While Meta is holding off on signing the pact, other major tech firms, such as Microsoft and Google, have confirmed their participation. Meta’s decision contrasts with its peers, particularly as its AI model, Llama, is open-source, raising concerns about compliance with the stringent requirements of the upcoming regulations.
The EU’s AI Act, which is the first legislation of its kind globally, is part of a broader framework of regulations designed to govern digital markets and services, alongside acts like the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. The European Commission is expected to reveal the full list of companies that have signed the AI Pact on Wednesday.
Though not legally enforceable, joining the pact is seen as a way to build trust with customers and regulators. Companies that opt out could face reputational risks or peer pressure, especially given the EU’s history of publicly calling out non-compliant tech firms.
In July, the company postponed the launch of its next-generation AI models in the region, citing uncertainty about European regulations.
