EU Denies Abandoning AI Regulation Amid Trump-Driven Pressure

The European Union has denied claims that recent moves to roll back some planned tech regulations, including the AI Liability Directive, were made in response to pressure from the Trump administration to deregulate around AI.

The EU’s Stance on AI Regulation

In an interview with the Financial Times, Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s digital chief, stated that the AI Liability Directive was being scrapped due to the bloc’s desire to focus on boosting competitiveness by cutting bureaucracy and red tape.

Limiting Reporting Requirements for AI

An upcoming code of practice on AI, attached to the EU’s AI Act, would also limit reporting requirements to what’s already included in existing AI rules, she said.

US Vice President JD Vance’s Warning

On Tuesday, US Vice President JD Vance warned European legislators to reconsider their approach to technology rule-making, urging the bloc to join the US in leaning into the "AI opportunity" via a speech at the Paris AI Action Summit.

EU’s 2025 Work Program

The Commission published its 2025 work program the day after Vance’s speech, touting a "bolder, simpler, faster" Union. The document confirmed the demise of the AI liability proposal, while outlining plans aimed at stimulating regional AI development and adoption.