Germany, France, and Italy have reached an agreement on the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), signaling progress in European negotiations. According to a joint paper seen by Reuters, the three governments support the implementation of binding voluntary commitments for both large and small AI providers within the European Union (EU). These developments are expected to accelerate negotiations at the EU level, as the European Commission, European Parliament, and EU Council continue to discuss the bloc’s stance on AI regulation.
In June, the European Parliament introduced an AI Act with the aim of mitigating safety risks associated with AI applications. The Act also aims to prevent discriminatory effects while ensuring that Europe’s innovative prowess in AI is not hindered. During discussions, the Parliament suggested that the proposed code of conduct should initially be binding only for major AI providers, primarily those from the United States. However, Germany, France, and Italy have warned against such a competitive advantage for smaller European providers. They contend that this could undermine trust in the security of these providers and consequently lead to fewer customers. The joint paper emphasizes the need for binding rules of conduct and transparency that apply to all AI providers.
According to the joint paper, there will be no immediate imposition of sanctions for non-compliance with the code of conduct. However, if violations occur after a certain period, a system of sanctions may be established. The paper also mentions the possibility of a European authority being tasked with monitoring compliance with these standards.
Germany’s Economy Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Affairs, stresses that laws and state control should regulate the application of AI rather than AI itself. They also highlight that AI models not yet in use or not yet launched on the market should not be subject to separate regulation by the state.
The upcoming German digital summit in Jena, taking place over two days, will address various issues surrounding AI. Furthermore, discussions between the German and Italian governments in Berlin will also include AI on the agenda.
Overall, the agreement reached by Germany, France, and Italy on AI regulation is set to boost negotiations at the European level. By advocating for binding commitments that apply to all AI providers, these countries aim to prevent competitive disadvantages for smaller European providers. While initial sanctions are not proposed, future violations of the code of conduct could lead to the establishment of a system of penalties. The focus remains on regulating the application of AI rather than AI itself, with an emphasis on striking a balance between innovation and safety.
