Europe will cut back on AI regulations to boost innovation and investment, French President Emmanuel Macron announced at an AI summit in Paris on Monday. The move comes as the European Union faces mounting pressure to stay competitive against the United States and China.
“We will simplify,” Macron declared. “It’s very clear we have to resynchronise with the rest of the world.” He cited the rapid reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral, made possible by streamlined regulations, as a model for AI development, pledging a similar approach for data centers and AI deployment.
The EU’s digital chief, Henna Virkkunen, echoed the sentiment, promising to reduce regulatory overlap and cut red tape to support businesses. “We have too much overlapping regulation,” she told Reuters. “We will cut the administrative burden from our industries.”
The summit underscored Europe’s shifting stance as U.S. President Donald Trump dismantles AI restrictions to bolster American dominance. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized Europe’s need for AI-friendly policies, pointing to France’s growing innovation ecosystem.
France secured private AI investments totaling €109 billion ($113 billion), including a new data center by startup Mistral. Meanwhile, a new global initiative, Current AI, backed by France, Germany, Google, and Salesforce, launched with $400 million in funding to support public-interest AI projects.
Despite the enthusiasm for deregulation, concerns remain. U.S.-based nonprofit Data & Society warned against weakening the EU’s AI Act, while labor leaders raised alarms over AI’s impact on workers. The debate is expected to continue on Tuesday when U.S. Vice President JD Vance addresses the summit, potentially signaling America’s stance on AI governance.
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