EU Member States Challenge AI Act Over Industry and Police Interests
France and Germany lead last-minute opposition to the EU AI Act ahead of a crucial council vote, prioritizing industry and law enforcement flexibility over human rights safeguards.
EU Member State governments prepare to vote on the final text of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act after nearly three years of negotiation. France and Germany lead a last-minute challenge against the legislation, attempting to establish a blocking minority ahead of the critical council vote. A total rejection of the act poses significant risks for future AI regulation, even though the legislation contains notable shortcomings from a human rights perspective.
These opposing governments argue that the rules for general-purpose AI systems (GPAI) are too restrictive and raise concerns regarding law enforcement agencies. France advocates for minimal transparency and oversight of AI used by police and migration control authorities. France previously secured a blanket exemption for national security purposes, creating a massive loophole that allows Member States to deploy AI surveillance technologies while bypassing human rights safeguards.
While some officials cite the act's failure to ban biometric surveillance as their reason for opposition, leaked documents suggest their true motivations lie with protecting AI industry interests. France currently faces allegations of industry lobbying and conflicts of interest regarding its strong stance against GPAI regulation. Ultimately, these governments utilize human rights language to mask an agenda that prioritizes the AI industry and national law enforcement agencies over fundamental rights.