Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will not sign the European Union’s code of conduct on artificial intelligence.
Meta executive Joel Kaplan stated on LinkedIn, “Europe is taking the wrong approach with AI. This code of conduct introduces legal uncertainty for developers and includes measures that go far beyond the AI Act.”
The voluntary code was introduced last week as a guideline for companies to adapt to the EU’s AI legislation, with the first set of rules taking effect on 2 August. It addresses the documentation of AI systems, prohibits training AI with stolen content, and requires developers to offer users the option to opt out of using AI tools.
Meta is the first major platform to announce its refusal to join the code. OpenAI is planning to do so, and French firm Mistral has already signed it. Other companies like ASML and Airbus have requested the EU to delay the implementation of the AI Act by two years.
Kaplan warned that the rules “will hinder the development and application of cutting-edge AI models in Europe” and disadvantage the companies that create them.
Despite this, the European Commission remains committed to its schedule, meaning the rules for advanced AI models used by companies like Meta, Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic will come into effect next week. The full AI legislation is expected to be enforced from 2027.
A spokesperson for the Commission told Politico in response to Meta’s refusal that the code of conduct is a “voluntary tool, but a solid benchmark.” Companies opting to comply “through alternative means risk facing increased regulatory scrutiny from the AI authority.”
