Capgemini CEO criticizes EU AI regulations
Capgemini CEO criticizes EU AI regulations for hindering innovation
Aiman Ezzat, CEO of Capgemini, one of Europe's largest IT services firms, expressed concern over the European Union's approach to artificial intelligence regulation, claiming that the EU has overstepped in its efforts.
In an interview ahead of the AI Action summit in Paris, Ezzat argued that the strict regulations on AI are creating significant barriers for global companies attempting to deploy AI technologies in the region, reports Reuters.
Ezzat's comments highlight growing frustration within the tech industry over the EU's AI Act, which is touted as the most comprehensive AI legislation in the world. While the EU maintains that the law is essential for consumer protection and national security, it has faced criticism from various companies for potentially stifling innovation.
Challenges for Companies Operating in Multiple Countries
Ezzat explained the difficulty of navigating AI regulations across different countries, stressing that the lack of unified global standards for AI governance is a major challenge for businesses. “It's complex for us because we have to look at regulation in every country where we operate, what we can do, what we cannot do, and what's our responsibility as a developer,” he said.
Capgemini, which collaborates with major firms like Microsoft, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services, works with clients including Heathrow Airport and Deutsche Telekom. The company is affected by the evolving regulatory landscape and is particularly concerned about the potential impact of the EU’s laws on AI innovation.
AI Regulation and Global Standards
Ezzat’s comments come at a time when global discussions about AI regulation are intensifying. At the Paris summit, tech executives and world leaders are expected to discuss frameworks for AI policy. Despite the EU’s aggressive stance on AI regulation, Ezzat believes that global alignment on AI governance will be crucial for balancing innovation and regulatory concerns.
In addition to EU regulations, concerns have been raised about the impact of privacy laws on AI. European data protection authorities are already scrutinizing some AI companies, including DeepSeek, a Chinese startup that has gained attention for its cost-effective AI models. While Ezzat praised DeepSeek for offering open-source models, he also pointed out that transparency is limited, particularly regarding the datasets used to train its models.
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the debate over regulation, innovation, and global standards will likely intensify. Ezzat, along with other industry leaders, is pushing for a more balanced approach that encourages innovation while safeguarding privacy and security.
Capgemini, which has begun exploring DeepSeek's AI models with its clients, is navigating these complexities, which will shape the future of AI across Europe and beyond.
Recently we wrote, that Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Alphabet plans to invest approximately $75 billion in capital expenditures in 2025 to accelerate its artificial intelligence offerings.
