Google has announced its intention to sign the European Union's General Purpose AI (GPAI) Code of Practice. This move signals a significant commitment to collaborating with European regulators as artificial intelligence technology continues to evolve rapidly. The Code is a voluntary tool designed to help industry comply with the obligations of the AI Act, the EU's comprehensive legislation on artificial intelligence.
Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs at Google & Alphabet, stated, "We will join several other companies... in signing the European Union's General Purpose AI Code of Practice." However, Walker also voiced reservations, noting that the "AI Act and Code risk slowing Europe's development and deployment of AI." Google's main concerns include potential departures from EU copyright law, slow approvals, and requirements that expose trade secrets.
The Code of Practice, which was developed by a panel of 13 independent experts, structures compliance around three pillars: transparency, copyright, and safety and security. It aims to bridge the gap until the AI Act is fully implemented, with enforcement of GPAI-related obligations beginning from August 2025. Google joins a list of companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Mistral that have already signed the code. In contrast, Meta has declined to participate, citing legal uncertainties.
Google's participation is seen as a calculated move. The company has committed to working with the EU's AI Office to ensure the code is 'proportionate and responsive' to the dynamic evolution of AI. At the same time, Google is emphasizing the economic benefits, estimating that AI could boost Europe's economy by €1.4 trillion annually by 2034. This dual approach shows Google's intent to comply with upcoming regulations while actively shaping a framework that supports innovation.