Key facts
- Axel Voss, an ally of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, criticized the EU's AI response.
- Voss stated the EU Commission's working methods are not adapted to rapid AI developments.
- He believes the enforcement of the EU's 2024 AI Act is insufficient.
- Voss also criticized the State of the Union address for lacking ambition on digital developments.
- He emphasized the need for AI company liability regulations.
Axel Voss, a prominent German conservative lawmaker and an ally of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has voiced strong criticism regarding the European Union's approach to artificial intelligence. Voss argued that the EU Commission is failing to keep pace with the rapid advancements in AI technology and that its enforcement of the bloc's 2024 AI Act is inadequate.
In an interview with POLITICO, Voss, who is a member of the CDU party to which von der Leyen also belongs, stated that the "whole working method of the European Commission is not adapted to these extremely fast-changing ... developments." He specifically pointed to the enforcement of the AI Act, which mandates companies to implement measures to prevent losing control of their AI models, as not being "on the level [where] we would like to have it."
Voss also suggested that the Commission's overall strategy for digital developments, including initiatives highlighted in von der Leyen's recent State of the Union address, lacks sufficient ambition. He further emphasized the importance of establishing clear liability rules for AI companies when their technology causes damage, a point he believes has been overlooked since the beginning of the current mandate and could impact all businesses.