The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Pact aims to establish guidelines and regulations for artificial intelligence development and deployment within the EU. However, Apple’s stance suggests that the company may have reservations about the specific terms or implications of the agreement.
This latest development comes as Apple continues to face challenges in bringing its AI-powered features to EU users. The company has previously expressed its commitment to working with European regulators to address concerns and ensure compliance with local laws, but it seems there is a possibility that iPhone 16 owners in the EU won’t get the new AI features the company has been hyping up.
The decision by Apple and Meta to abstain from the AI pact could have significant implications for the EU’s efforts to regulate AI. Both companies are major players in the tech industry, and their absence could potentially hinder the pact’s effectiveness.
As the EU’s AI Act is gradually rolled out in the coming years, it remains to be seen whether Apple and Meta will eventually change their stance or if they will continue to resist the pact’s provisions.
Understanding the EU AI Pact
Key points of the EU AI Pact:
- Voluntary nature: Companies are not legally obligated to sign the pact, but doing so demonstrates their commitment to responsible AI development.
- Alignment with AI Act: The pact’s principles are consistent with the requirements of the EU AI Act, which will come into full force in the coming years.
- Early compliance: Companies that sign the pact can demonstrate their commitment to responsible AI practices and potentially gain a competitive advantage.
- Focus on high-risk AI systems: The pact specifically addresses high-risk AI systems, such as those used in critical infrastructure or decision-making processes that can have significant impacts on people’s lives.
By signing the pact, companies agree to adhere to principles such as transparency, accountability, robustness, and fairness in their AI development and deployment. This includes ensuring that AI systems are safe, reliable, and free from bias.
The EU AI Pact is a significant step towards establishing a framework for responsible AI development within the European Union. However, the decision by Apple and Meta to abstain from the agreement raises questions about the pact’s effectiveness and the challenges of achieving consensus among major tech players.
But if Apple doesn’t find a way to provide the new AI features coming with Apple Intelligence to the EU it might have to cave in and agree to the pact’s commitment requirements.