BRUSSELS : Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs at Google and Alphabet, announced the company’s decision to sign the voluntary European Code of Conduct for AI public models in a statement released today. He described the code as a crucial step in giving European citizens and businesses safe and powerful access to AI tools.

Walker emphasized the economic opportunity at stake, citing that Europe could unlock up to €1.4 trillion annually by 2034 if AI is widely and effectively deployed. The rapid and broad deployment of AI technologies is essential to maximizing these benefits, he explained.

Google welcomed updates to the final version of the code, which it said better aligns with the European Union’s innovation and economic goals. The company also confirmed it had submitted feedback during the code’s drafting process.

However, Walker issued a note of caution regarding certain elements of the EU’s broader AI Act, which is expected to be implemented soon. He warned that overly restrictive requirements—such as potential demands to disclose trade secrets or infringe on copyright—could stifle AI model development in Europe and undercut the region’s competitive edge in the fast-moving global AI race.

Despite these concerns, Google reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the European Artificial Intelligence Office to keep the code adaptable and innovation-friendly. “We support a regulatory environment that fosters responsible AI while encouraging investment and research,” the company stated.

The European Commission is currently finalizing its comprehensive regulatory framework for AI technologies, with tech firms expressing mixed views on compliance timelines and obligations.

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