Report finds big tech lobbying watered down GPAI Code of Practice

A report released on Wednesday by Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) and LobbyControl indicates that major technology companies have exerted pressure on the European Commission to weaken the General-Purpose AI (GPAI) Code of Practice. The GPAI Code is intended to assist providers of AI models in complying with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). The joint investigation by the two groups, based on internal interviews and an analysis of lobbying documents, suggests that these tech companies benefited from "structural advantages" during the drafting process, allowing them to dilute the regulations concerning advanced AI.

The research also highlights a disparity in access to the drafting process, with model providers, including prominent US-based tech firms like Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI, being invited to exclusive workshops with the working group chairs. In contrast, other stakeholders, such as civil society organisations, publishers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reportedly had limited access, with their participation in workshops largely restricted to reacting to questions and comments via an online platform.

Adding to the controversy, a spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed the receipt of a letter from the US government's Mission to the EU opposing the GPAI Code. The Trump administration has been critical of the EU's digital regulations, arguing that they impede innovation.