Two influential leaders of German tech companies have called on the European Union to reconsider its plans to regulate artificial intelligence.
Critique of Current EU AI Laws
Roland Busch, CEO of Siemens, and Christian Klein, head of SAP, have publicly stated that the current European laws are too narrow and could impede innovation on the continent. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, they argued that the EU needs a more agile mode of administrative governance that encourages innovation rather than stifling it. They insisted that the way current laws are drafted makes it difficult for European companies to compete internationally.
Data Access Issues
Christian Klein noted that Europe's challenge is not infrastructure or computing power, but rather its difficulty in accessing and using the existing data. He emphasized the need to reform how data is managed to truly leverage the available resources. "We are sitting on a treasure trove of data in Europe, but we are not yet able to tap into it," Busch stated.
Europe's Prospects in AI
Both CEOs believe that if the EU revises its approach now, it can position itself favorably in the global tech race by focusing on enabling innovation. Ahead of the passing of the EU AI Act, Siemens and SAP had raised concerns about its potential impact on European competitiveness.
In light of the challenges posed by the US and China, the EU's opportunity to reassess its AI laws may be crucial for increasing competitiveness and fostering innovation.
