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In contrast to Meta’s stance that the framework constitutes “excessive intervention”—prompting its formal refusal to sign—the European Union’s Code of Practice for General Purpose AI (GPAI) has garnered support from Google, which announced its intention to endorse the guidelines. The move is widely viewed as a preemptive gesture signaling Google’s willingness to align with the EU’s forthcoming AI legislation.
The EU AI Act, which officially passed last year, stands as the world’s first comprehensive legal framework dedicated to the governance of artificial intelligence. However, given the broad scope of its mandates, full implementation is expected to unfold over several years in a phased approach. As a transitional measure, the EU introduced the Code of Practice for GPAI, encouraging voluntary adherence from companies as a way to anticipate and embody the spirit of the law and its obligations.
In a statement published on its official blog, Google acknowledged its reservations regarding certain elements of the AI Act. Nevertheless, the company expressed optimism that the finalized guidelines strike a more pragmatic balance aligned with Europe’s goals for innovation and economic growth—an improvement over earlier drafts. Google also expressed appreciation to the EU for providing a platform for stakeholder input and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with European regulators to ensure the responsible advancement of AI technologies.
In contrast, Meta unequivocally declined to sign the Code. Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Vice President of Global Affairs, criticized the EU’s approach as “overly interventionist,” warning that Europe may be veering toward a misguided path in regulating artificial intelligence.
Under the EU AI Act, AI systems are categorized according to risk—from minimal to unacceptable—with varying degrees of regulatory requirements. General Purpose AI (GPAI) models, including those capable of generating content, will be formally regulated beginning August 2, 2024. For models released before this date, full compliance will be required by August 2027. The EU has also outlined a staggered review process and implementation timeline extending through 2031.
By comparison, the United States remains in the preliminary stages of AI governance, with no comprehensive legislative framework yet enacted. The EU’s proactive stance not only underscores its ambition to lead in global tech regulation but also imposes a higher compliance threshold and operational burden for technology companies operating within its jurisdiction.
For Google, signing the Code represents more than mere regulatory appeasement—it may serve as a strategic foundation for its future AI initiatives in Europe. The company appears to be striving to strike a delicate balance between innovation and compliance. As more technology firms weigh whether to follow suit and as the full ramifications of the EU AI Act begin to materialize, the entire industry stands poised at a pivotal juncture in its evolution.
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