The European Union actively "sells" AI regulation bills, but Asian countries do not buy it

**Source: **Financial Association

Edit Xiaoxiang

Image source: Generated by Unbounded AI tool

The European Union is lobbying Asian countries to follow its lead on artificial intelligence and create new rules for tech companies, including disclosing copyright and labeling AI-generated content, according to senior officials from the European Union and Asia.

It is reported that the European Union and its member states have sent officials to negotiate with at least 10 Asian countries on the use of artificial intelligence, including India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and the Philippines.

The EU aims to make its latest proposed Artificial Intelligence Law the global standard for regulation of the booming AI technology in the same way it shaped the bloc's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as the global standard for privacy .

However, the European Union's efforts to convince Asian governments of the need for strict new regulations on AI regulation have been met with a lukewarm reception, sources familiar with the matter told the media. Many countries are currently trying to "wait and see", or lean towards a more flexible regulatory regime. **

Asian countries don't buy it

Singapore is one of Asia's leading tech hubs. A Singaporean official said recently that the country prefers to wait and see the development of AI technology before adjusting local regulations. Officials in Singapore and its neighbor, the Philippines, worry that too hasty regulation could stifle AI innovation.

In addition, Southeast Asian countries are planning to develop voluntary guidelines. Japan is leaning towards looser rules than the strict approach advocated by the European Union, as the government looks to the technology to boost economic growth and make the country a leader in advanced chips.

Since the beginning of this year, the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence technology has been hailed as a cross-age technological breakthrough, which is expected to completely change all aspects of human activities, but it has also been described by many as a threat to human survival.

EU lawmakers agreed in June to a groundbreaking draft of AI laws that would require companies such as ChatGPT operator OpenAI to disclose AI-generated content, helping to distinguish so-called deepfake images from real ones and ensuring protection against illegal content.

The draft legislation, which also envisages fines for breaking the rules, has met with resistance from businesses, with 160 executives signing a letter last month warning it could jeopardize European competitiveness, investment and innovation.

EU still trying to win over Asia

But despite the "hot face and cold ass", some EU officials who have signed "digital partnerships" with Japan, South Korea and Singapore are optimistic that they can find common ground with international partners to advance artificial intelligence and other technical cooperation.

When talking about the regulation of artificial intelligence in countries such as the European Union and Japan, Thierry Breton, EU industry director, said, "I believe that the distance between us may not be too far, because we share the same values."

In May, leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) economies, consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, jointly called for the development and adoption of a trustworthy international technical standard for artificial intelligence, and Establish a ministerial forum called the "Hiroshima AI Process".

South Korea will continue to discuss AI regulation with the EU, but is more interested in what the G7 is doing, a South Korean official said after a meeting with Breton.

Dutch Digital Minister Alexandra Van Huffelen said in an interview that the efforts in Asia were part of a European push to set global standards, which also included talks with countries including Canada, Turkey and Israel.

"We're trying to figure out how to replicate, apply and mirror EU regulations ... like the General Data Protection Regulation," Van Huffelen said late last month. The EU plans to use the upcoming G20 meeting to further promote global cooperation on artificial intelligence, especially with India, which holds the G20 presidency in 2023.