Google to Sign EU AI Code of Practice Despite Concerns

Alphabet’s Google confirmed it will sign the European Union’s voluntary code of practice designed to guide companies in complying with the bloc’s landmark Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). The commitment was announced by Kent Walker, Google’s global affairs president and chief legal officer, in a blog post on Wednesday.

The code, drafted by 13 independent experts, aims to provide legal clarity for AI developers by outlining requirements such as disclosing summaries of training data used in general-purpose AI models and adhering to EU copyright rules. It is intended to help companies navigate obligations under the AI Act, which recently established strict guardrails for AI deployment in the region.

Walker emphasized Google’s support for the initiative, stating the company hopes the code will ensure European citizens and businesses gain access to secure and high-quality AI tools. However, he raised concerns about potential risks to Europe’s competitiveness, warning that deviations from existing copyright law, lengthy approval processes, or obligations exposing trade secrets could slow AI innovation and deployment.

Microsoft has also indicated plans to sign the code, according to its president Brad Smith, while Meta Platforms declined to participate, citing ongoing legal uncertainties for AI model developers.

The EU’s AI Act represents one of the world’s first comprehensive regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence, seeking to establish a global benchmark for responsible AI use amid rapid advances led by U.S. and Chinese tech giants. Google’s participation signals growing alignment between major AI players and European regulators as the technology becomes central to business and daily life.