Commissioner Ribera defends EU digital regulation

Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, has strongly defended the European Union's legislative agenda, including its Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), amid industry calls for a pause. Speaking at an event, Ribera warned against "backtracking" on the bloc's achievements, even as the Commission plans simplification measures for a raft of existing rules.

Ribera responded to recent criticism that the AI Act goes too far by citing "tensions" it addresses, specifically the concerns of publishers and creators over uncredited AI-generated summaries that she described as "the big theft of our data and intellectual creativity."

Regarding transatlantic relations, she acknowledged the difficulties but maintained that EU technology laws, which she oversees, are not damaging EU-US ties. Ribera noted that the vast majority (75%) of new players benefiting from the EU's digital regulations are American businesses, arguing that the rules aim to level the playing field globally.

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