Google Moves to Sign EU's AI Code of Practice Amid Concerns
Google plans to sign the EU's AI code of practice despite concerns about hindering innovation.
Key Points
- • Google will sign the EU's AI code of practice despite concerns.
- • Kent Walker raised fears about hindrances to AI development and trade secret exposure.
- • Microsoft is expected to also sign the code, while Meta has opted out due to uncertainties.
- • The EU aims to set a global benchmark for AI regulations.
On July 30, 2025, Google announced its commitment to sign the European Union's voluntary code of practice for artificial intelligence, despite expressing concerns over potential impacts on AI innovation. Kent Walker, Google's president of global affairs, highlighted hopes that the code would facilitate better access to secure AI tools for users across Europe. However, he underscored worries that the accompanying AI Act might stifle AI development due to various regulatory hurdles, including adjustments to EU copyright law and requirements that risk exposing trade secrets.
The code of practice was crafted by a group of 13 independent experts and aims to provide concrete guidance for organizations striving to comply with the EU's AI Act, which mandates, among other things, that companies disclose details of the datasets utilized to train their AI models. Microsoft's participation in signing the code is anticipated, while Meta has announced its decision to abstain, citing uncertainties regarding the legal implications for developers.
The EU's regulatory framework seeks to establish a global benchmark for AI technologies, influenced heavily by current leadership in the U.S. and China. Google’s move to endorse the code signifies its strategic efforts to navigate compliance in a climate of rapid AI advancements and regulatory changes.