Meta, Spotify CEOs say EU’s AI rules hamper innovation

The European Union‘s stringent artificial intelligence regulations are drawing criticism from leading tech executives. 

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek have raised alarms about the potential negative effects of the EU’s current approach to AI regulation.

In a joint statement released on August 24, Zuckerberg and Ek expressed concerns that the EU’s rules, particularly those affecting open-source AI development, are stifling innovation. 

They argue that the regulatory environment is creating significant hurdles for European companies, making it harder for them to compete on a global scale.

Ek emphasized that AI has been pivotal for Spotify’s success, enhancing user experience through personalization. 

However, he warned that the EU’s regulations could impede the development of open-source AI, which is essential for the future of both the streaming industry and the broader creative sector.

Zuckerberg highlighted similar challenges faced by Meta, noting that the company is unable to train its AI models effectively due to restrictions on using public data from its platforms. 

This limitation, he said, puts European AI development at a disadvantage compared to other regions where data is more accessible.

Meta has announced that regulatory uncertainties will delay the release of its new AI models, including the Llama multimodal AI, which is designed to interpret images.

These concerns come amid ongoing legal and regulatory battles in the tech industry. In recent months, Meta and Google have faced criticism and legal action related to their AI data usage practices, reflecting a broader debate over the balance between innovation and regulation in the AI space.