Meta has announced a delay in the launch of its new AI products, including smart glasses and a digital assistant, in the UK and EU due to uncertainties surrounding regulatory compliance. While these products are set to be distributed in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, Europeans will have to wait longer.
The decision to halt the European rollout stems from concerns about the data used to train Meta’s AI models. An open letter signed by 59 technology companies, including Meta, warns that Europe is at risk of falling behind in the AI race due to inconsistent regulation. Signatories like Ericsson and Spotify argue that Europe has become less competitive compared to other regions because of these regulatory discrepancies.
Meta AI aims to launch in the UK ahead of the EU as the company utilizes publicly shared content from Facebook and Instagram users to train its AI models. However, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office has raised questions regarding data usage, prompting Meta to simplify the opt-out process for users who do not wish their data to be used.
In contrast, EU regulators have expressed that Meta’s current plans do not satisfy privacy and transparency requirements. This regulatory scrutiny has compelled Meta to delay the AI product launch in the region. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed during the Meta Connect conference that Meta AI, the company’s competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, already has 400 million monthly users despite its unavailability in Europe. Zuckerberg also unveiled the first prototype of Meta’s augmented-reality glasses, Orion.
The open letter from the technology companies underscores the need for coherent regulatory frameworks to ensure Europe remains competitive in the global AI landscape. The letter articulates the collective anxiety within the tech industry regarding the fragmented and inconsistent regulatory environment in Europe, which could hinder the region’s innovation and economic growth in AI technology.
In light of these regulatory challenges, Meta has opted to delay its AI product launch in the UK and EU, heightening concerns about Europe’s competitive stance in the global AI market. The company’s proactive measures to address data usage issues highlight the complexities of balancing technological advancements and regulatory compliance.