In a recent address at the Competitive Europe Summit in Brussels, Google’s President of Global Affairs, Kent Walker, stressed the importance of the EU increasing its adoption of AI through a more strategic regulatory approach. He highlighted the intense competition from China and the need for Europe to step up its game in order to secure its future prosperity and security.
Walker pointed out the significant gap in AI adoption between Europe and China, with Chinese companies leading the way in integrating generative AI into their operations. He also raised concerns about the regulatory environment in the EU, which has become increasingly complex and challenging for businesses to navigate, hindering investment in the region.
To address these challenges, Walker proposed a three-part strategy for the EU to reclaim its position in the AI race. This strategy includes simplifying the regulatory landscape to support innovation, building out AI adoption through workforce skilling, and scaling up to support widespread innovation. By aligning regulations, focusing on real-world effects, and fostering trust through public-private partnerships, Walker believes that the EU can leverage AI to drive growth and compete on a global scale.
