Google Commits to EU’s AI Code of Practice Amid Industry Debate
Google has pledged to adopt the European Union’s voluntary AI code of practice, a framework designed to assist AI developers in aligning with the EU’s AI Act by implementing compliant processes and systems.
In contrast, Meta recently declined to sign the code, criticizing the EU’s AI regulations as excessive and warning that Europe’s approach could hinder AI progress.
Google’s decision comes just before new regulations for “general-purpose AI models with systemic risk” take effect on August 2. Major players like Anthropic, Google, Meta, and OpenAI, along with other large-scale generative models, will have two years to fully comply with the AI Act.
In a blog post on Wednesday, Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, acknowledged improvements in the final code of practice compared to earlier EU proposals but expressed concerns about the AI Act’s potential to impede innovation.
“We’re worried that the AI Act and its code could slow Europe’s AI development and deployment. Deviations from EU copyright law, delays in approvals, or mandates exposing trade secrets might undermine Europe’s competitiveness in AI,” Walker wrote.
By endorsing the EU’s code, AI firms commit to guidelines such as providing updated documentation for their AI tools, avoiding training on pirated content, and respecting content owners’ requests to exclude their works from datasets.
The EU’s AI Act, a risk-based regulation, bans “unacceptable risk” AI uses, like cognitive manipulation or social scoring, while imposing strict rules on “high-risk” applications, including biometrics, facial recognition, and AI in education or employment. Developers must also register AI systems and meet risk and quality management standards.
Tech and VC Leaders Headline Disrupt 2025
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — some of the big names shaping the Disrupt 2025 agenda. Join them to gain insights that drive startup success and stay ahead. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt and learn from tech’s top voices — secure your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices increase.
Tech and VC Leaders Headline Disrupt 2025
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — some of the big names shaping the Disrupt 2025 agenda. Join them to gain insights that drive startup success and stay ahead. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt and learn from tech’s top voices — secure your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices increase.
San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025 REGISTER NOW
Related article
Google Unveils Production-Ready Gemini 2.5 AI Models to Rival OpenAI in Enterprise Market
Google intensified its AI strategy Monday, launching its advanced Gemini 2.5 models for enterprise use and introducing a cost-efficient variant to compete on price and performance.The Alphabet-owned c
Meta Offers High Pay for AI Talent, Denies $100M Signing Bonuses
Meta is attracting AI researchers to its new superintelligence lab with substantial multimillion-dollar compensation packages. However, claims of $100 million "signing bonuses" are untrue, per a recru
Meta Enhances AI Security with Advanced Llama Tools
Meta has released new Llama security tools to bolster AI development and protect against emerging threats.These upgraded Llama AI model security tools are paired with Meta’s new resources to empower c
Comments (0)
0/200
Google has pledged to adopt the European Union’s voluntary AI code of practice, a framework designed to assist AI developers in aligning with the EU’s AI Act by implementing compliant processes and systems.
In contrast, Meta recently declined to sign the code, criticizing the EU’s AI regulations as excessive and warning that Europe’s approach could hinder AI progress.
Google’s decision comes just before new regulations for “general-purpose AI models with systemic risk” take effect on August 2. Major players like Anthropic, Google, Meta, and OpenAI, along with other large-scale generative models, will have two years to fully comply with the AI Act.
In a blog post on Wednesday, Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, acknowledged improvements in the final code of practice compared to earlier EU proposals but expressed concerns about the AI Act’s potential to impede innovation.
“We’re worried that the AI Act and its code could slow Europe’s AI development and deployment. Deviations from EU copyright law, delays in approvals, or mandates exposing trade secrets might undermine Europe’s competitiveness in AI,” Walker wrote.
By endorsing the EU’s code, AI firms commit to guidelines such as providing updated documentation for their AI tools, avoiding training on pirated content, and respecting content owners’ requests to exclude their works from datasets.
The EU’s AI Act, a risk-based regulation, bans “unacceptable risk” AI uses, like cognitive manipulation or social scoring, while imposing strict rules on “high-risk” applications, including biometrics, facial recognition, and AI in education or employment. Developers must also register AI systems and meet risk and quality management standards.
Tech and VC Leaders Headline Disrupt 2025
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — some of the big names shaping the Disrupt 2025 agenda. Join them to gain insights that drive startup success and stay ahead. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt and learn from tech’s top voices — secure your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices increase.
Tech and VC Leaders Headline Disrupt 2025
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — some of the big names shaping the Disrupt 2025 agenda. Join them to gain insights that drive startup success and stay ahead. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt and learn from tech’s top voices — secure your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices increase.
San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025 REGISTER NOW
Google Unveils Production-Ready Gemini 2.5 AI Models to Rival OpenAI in Enterprise Market
Google intensified its AI strategy Monday, launching its advanced Gemini 2.5 models for enterprise use and introducing a cost-efficient variant to compete on price and performance.The Alphabet-owned c
Meta Offers High Pay for AI Talent, Denies $100M Signing Bonuses
Meta is attracting AI researchers to its new superintelligence lab with substantial multimillion-dollar compensation packages. However, claims of $100 million "signing bonuses" are untrue, per a recru
Meta Enhances AI Security with Advanced Llama Tools
Meta has released new Llama security tools to bolster AI development and protect against emerging threats.These upgraded Llama AI model security tools are paired with Meta’s new resources to empower c
