Google has productive talks with EU on AI, says head of cloud

Google is actively involved in ‘productive conversations’ with EU regulators to discuss the bloc’s AI regulations and the responsible development of AI technologies. During an exclusive interview with CNBC, Thomas Kurian, the head of Google’s cloud division, reiterated the company’s commitment to collaborating with global regulators to address unchecked advancements in AI. Kurian highlighted Google’s openness to working together with global regulatory bodies in shaping responsible AI development.

The primary concern of EU policymakers is that these AI models have facilitated the production of content that violates copyright, which could have adverse effects on artists and creative professionals who rely on royalties. To address these concerns, the EU has recently approved the AI Act, a comprehensive legislation aimed at regulating AI deployment within the bloc. One of the Act’s key provisions ensures that the training data used for generative AI tools comply with copyright laws.

Thomas Kurian reiterated that Google is closely collaborating with the EU government to understand and address these concerns. In addition, Google is developing tools to accurately identify content generated by AI models versus content created by humans, as this distinction is crucial for the effective enforcement of copyright laws. To tackle this, Google is developing technologies to enable clear differentiation between human and AI-generated content, as demonstrated by their recent unveiling of a ‘watermarking’ solution for AI-generated images during their I/O event last month, stated the Kurian.

Why does it matter?

The talks between Google and EU are significant because they could shape the future of AI development and deployment in Europe and beyond. The EU is a major market for Google and other tech giants, and its regulations could have a ripple effect on the global tech industry. The discussions could also help address concerns about AI’s ethical and social implications, such as job displacement, privacy, and bias.