EU tech chief: Europe is an opportunity, not a security risk, after US AI order

Anthropic, an AI company based in San Francisco, announced on Friday that the US Department of Commerce had directed it to suspend its Mythos 5 and Fable 5 models due to national security concerns. Virkkunen stated on social media that Europe represents an economic opportunity and will remain a trusted partner, emphasizing the need for cooperation on powerful AI models as a shared global challenge.

The European Commission is currently evaluating the practical implications of the US order for European users. Virkkunen also cautioned that any contingency measures to mitigate risks from advanced AI models should not discriminate against partners. She stressed that the situation highlights the necessity for Europe's technological sovereignty and called for the swift adoption of measures aimed at reducing the EU's reliance on American and Asian technology.

These proposed measures, presented earlier in the month, include provisions to favor European companies in sensitive public contracts related to cloud computing and AI. The final legislation will depend on negotiations between the European Parliament and EU member states. There is a growing consensus within Europe regarding the importance of self-sufficiency in technological needs, rather than depending on foreign companies, which currently supply over 80 percent of the EU's digital products, services, infrastructure, and intellectual property.