Some 26 tech companies sign up to EU Commission's AI Code
The Code, which the Commission released earlier this month, is a voluntary set of rules that touches on transparency, copyright, and safety and security issues, aiming to help providers of GPAI models comply with the AI Act.
The signatories include big tech giants such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and IBM. Also on the list are AI providers such as Open AI, France's Mistral AI, and German start-up Aleph Alpha.
Meta previously announced that it would not sign up, claiming that the Code restricts innovation, and that 'Europe is heading down the wrong path on AI'.
Meta will still need to comply with AI Act obligations that start applying on 2 August.
The developer of X's Grok, xAI, only signed up to the Code's Safety and Security Chapter; meaning that it will have to demonstrate compliance with the AI Act's obligations concerning transparency and copyright via alternative means, the Commission said.
Google said earlier this week that it will sign, but expressed concerns about the bloc's AI rules regarding innovation.
'While the final version of the Code comes closer to supporting Europe's innovation and economic goals [...] we remain concerned that the AI Act and Code risk slowing down Europe's development and deployment of AI,' the president of global affairs at Google's parent company Alphabet, Kent Walker, said in a blogpost on Wednesday.
Providers that already have a GPAI model on the market needed to sign before 1 August, whereas others can sign up later, the Commission previously said.
From Saturday, the 27 EU member states should have appointed national oversight authorities to ensure that businesses in their countries comply with the AI Act. In case of breaches, fines for GPAI tools could be as high as €15 million or 3% of a company's annual turnover, whichever is higher.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LeMonde
a day ago
- LeMonde
Personalized AI chatbots go off the rails on Instagram and Messenger
Meta is usually known for making big announcements. This time, however, Mark Zuckerberg's company was surprisingly subdued when it rolled out AI Studio in France: Since the end of July, French Instagram and Messenger app users have been able to create personalized chatbots or chat with ones made by other users. Users can now talk to an artificial intelligence (AI) version of a psychologist, a cooking expert, a version of Batgirl, a parody of Vladimir Putin or even a "virtual girlfriend." All of these bots are created by the platforms' users, based on Llama, Meta's large language model. It only takes a few seconds to set up a chatbot by describing its purpose and personality, with the option to add further instructions if needed. The user can then decide whether to make their chatbot publicly accessible or restrict it to their friends only. However, Meta has warned that "we review AIs you create" before they are published, to ensure they do not violate the platform's rules. Yet the review process is rather superficial. Naruto, Harry Potter, the French YouTuber Squeezie, God, Marilyn Monroe, Breaking Bad 's Walter White and even France's prime minister, François Bayrou: Le Monde quickly found many chatbots that impersonate real people, fictional characters covered by copyright protections, and religious figures – including several Jesus Christ bots – all of which are forbidden by Meta. While some of these bots appeared not to have interacted with any users, others have already exchanged millions of messages. Furthermore, despite rules prohibiting the chatbots from posing as financial advisers, dozens of AI bots dedicated to cryptocurrency, personal finance or investment could be found easily. The few profiles tested by Le Monde only repeated general statements. However, in just a few moments, we were able to create a bot specialized in financial advice that encouraged beginners to invest online via the fraudulent trading website RiveGarde, which a previous Le Monde investigation found was connected to an organized crime network. It was then possible to share the chatbot with friends after it went through Meta's automatic verification process, which took less than a minute.
Sustainability Times
a day ago
- Sustainability Times
Mark Zuckerberg's "Billionaire Playtime" Sparks Outrage: 3,300-Mile Yacht Adventure and Helicopter Ski Trip Amid America's Growing Wealth Gap
IN A NUTSHELL 🌊 Mark Zuckerberg embarked on a 5,280-mile journey to Norway's fjords aboard two superyachts, showcasing a blend of luxury and adventure. and adventure. 🛳️ The Launchpad and Wingman served as a floating base for a high-end heliskiing experience, bypassing Norway's strict helicopter landing regulations. and served as a floating base for a high-end heliskiing experience, bypassing Norway's strict helicopter landing regulations. 🎿 Known for his adventurous spirit, Zuckerberg enjoyed skiing down remote Norwegian peaks, highlighting a unique intersection of wealth and extreme sports. and extreme sports. 🌍 The escapade raises questions about sustainability and the environmental impact of such luxurious undertakings, inviting reflection on societal implications. As most Americans enjoyed a traditional Easter break, Mark Zuckerberg was embarking on an adventure of a different kind. The Meta CEO took advantage of the holiday period to set sail on a 5,280-mile journey to the majestic fjords of Norway. This wasn't just an ordinary trip; it involved mobilizing two superyachts, the Launchpad and the Wingman, valued at a combined $330 million. The journey was a blend of luxury and adventure, culminating in a heliskiing escapade that raises questions about the environmental and ethical implications of such lavish undertakings. Zuckerberg's trip is a reflection of how the world's elite navigate leisure, luxury, and legal boundaries. A $330 Million Logistical Luxury The voyage to Norway's fjords was anything but ordinary. At the center of this luxurious adventure were two magnificent vessels: the Launchpad, a 387-foot yacht priced at $300 million, and its companion, the Wingman, valued at $30 million. The Launchpad served as the main vessel, providing opulent accommodations, while the Wingman, equipped with a helipad, played a crucial role in the adventure. This floating base allowed Zuckerberg and his family to enjoy a high-end heliskiing experience. Norway's strict environmental regulations limit helicopter landings, designed to protect its pristine landscapes. However, Zuckerberg skillfully maneuvered around these restrictions by using the yacht's helipad instead of landing on Norwegian soil, thus bypassing the need for permits. This ingenious approach highlights the lengths to which the wealthy can go to enjoy extreme luxury while staying within, yet at the edge of, legal frameworks. Preserving Heritage While Innovating: How AI is Reshaping Design for a Sustainable Future Between Extreme Sport and Ultra-Luxury Heliskiing, a sport reserved for the affluent, allows enthusiasts to ski down untouched slopes in remote locations. Zuckerberg, known for his adventurous pursuits like martial arts and surfing, embraced this opportunity to ski on some of the world's most secluded Norwegian peaks. The experience was a testament to his adventurous spirit and his capacity to indulge in the most exclusive activities. This isn't the first time Zuckerberg has demonstrated his taste for opulence. In 2024, he dispatched the Launchpad to Tahiti for a cruise, showcasing his ability to mobilize luxury at a moment's notice. Currently, the Launchpad is stationed in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, reflecting Zuckerberg's readiness to explore the world's farthest corners. This lifestyle exemplifies the unique intersection between extreme wealth and adventure. 'She Shouldn't Be Alive, Let Alone Have Five': Yellowstone's Grizzly Mom Sparks Fury Between Wildlife Heroes and Human Safety Advocates Logistical Mastery or Legal Loophole? The complexity of Zuckerberg's journey arouses both admiration and scrutiny. Is it a display of logistical expertise, pure indulgence, or a clever exploitation of legal loopholes? By crossing the Atlantic, Zuckerberg showcased his ability to orchestrate complex operations while navigating the fine line of legal boundaries. His strategy offers insight into how high-profile individuals use their resources to create their own paths, both literally and metaphorically. Whether it's the audacity of transporting superyachts across oceans or the thrill of untouched mountain skiing, this adventure highlights a unique blend of wealth, adventure, and legal acumen that few can replicate. It raises questions about the extent to which the wealthy can go to satisfy their desires while operating within the law's limits. 'This Bridge Shouldn't Be Possible': China Unveils World's Highest Mega-Structure Now Ready to Open Above the Clouds The Broader Implications of Such Adventures This high-profile escapade shines a light on the broader implications of such luxurious endeavors. The massive expenditure and environmental impact of transporting superyachts across oceans prompt questions about sustainability and responsibility. While the journey showcases the possibilities available to the ultra-wealthy, it also invites reflection on the ethical and environmental consequences of such exploits. The contrast between extreme luxury and global economic disparities encourages discourse on the societal impacts of wealth concentration. As we admire the logistics and legal maneuvering, we must also consider the broader implications for environmental stewardship and social equity. This journey challenges us to balance indulgence with responsibility, questioning how luxury and adventure can coexist with sustainable practices and equitable resource distribution. In the grand narrative of wealth and adventure, Mark Zuckerberg's Norwegian escapade is both a spectacle and an invitation to deeper reflection. As the world grapples with pressing environmental and social issues, how can we reconcile the allure of luxury with the need for sustainable and equitable practices? The answers may shape the future of both leisure and responsibility for generations to come. This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (22)
LeMonde
a day ago
- LeMonde
AI Act: 38 global creators' organizations condemn 'betrayal' of Europe's stated goals
A bitter taste and deep disappointment are being felt among authors, performers, publishers, producers and other rights holders across Europe and around the world. In a joint statement signed on Thursday, July 31, 38 leading global rights holders' organizations expressed their "dissatisfaction" with the implementation of the European Union's regulation on artificial intelligence (AI). Their discontent applies to the "Code of Practice, the GPAI Guidelines, and the Template for disclosure of a sufficiently detailed summary of training data under Article 53 of the EU AI Act." This legislation regulating AI within the European Union partially takes effect on Saturday, August 2. Despite their extensive engagments made "throughout this process, the final outcomes fail to address the core concerns which our sectors [...] have consistently raised," the organizations state. The coalition went further: "The result is not a balanced compromise." They call it "a missed opportunity to provide meaningful protection of intellectual property rights in the context of GenAI [generative AI]." Worse still, the AI Act "does not deliver on the promise of the EU AI Act itself."
