Microsoft has indicated a strong likelihood of signing the European Union’s voluntary code of practice designed to guide companies in complying with the bloc’s Artificial Intelligence regulations. The tech giant’s president, Brad Smith, told Reuters that the company was still reviewing the documents but welcomed the direct engagement between the EU’s AI Office and industry players.
The code of practice, developed by 13 independent experts, forms part of the EU’s broader AI Act which took effect in June 2024. It mandates signatory companies to publish summaries of the data used in training their general-purpose AI models and implement policies that align with European copyright laws. The regulation is expected to apply to major tech firms including Google’s parent company Alphabet, Meta Platforms, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Mistral.
Despite Microsoft’s positive stance, Meta Platforms has rejected the code, citing legal ambiguities and overreach. In a blog post, Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, stated that the company would not be signing the document, arguing that it introduces uncertainties for AI model developers and imposes demands that exceed the scope of the AI Act itself.
The contrasting positions from two of the world’s most influential technology firms underscore the emerging regulatory challenges around AI governance. While Microsoft appears open to collaboration, Meta’s resistance signals ongoing tensions between innovation, transparency, and regulatory compliance in the evolving AI landscape.