Asking whether the European Union is truly ready to lead the way in artificial intelligence is more than timely today. The new regulation approved in 2024 clearly demonstrates Europe's commitment to developing this technology safely and ethically, always putting human rights and the democratic values that characterize it at its core.
The so-called human-centric approach has been criticized but in long term it may provide benefits for human beings around the world.
My paper on ResearchGate: Human Rights as a Factor in the AI Alignment.
https://shorturl.at/CnxPp
Dear Leire Vazquéz Sanchéz , this question allows us to view things through lenses; I want to use an African viewpoint.
The European Union’s ambition to lead in AI development and regulation raises important questions about preparedness, inclusivity, and global impact. The EU has positioned itself as a champion of ethical AI, emphasizing human rights, data protection, and transparency—values reflected in the EU AI Act, which aims to set a global standard. However, while the EU is strong in regulatory frameworks, it lags behind the US and China in AI innovation, investment, and industrial AI applications. European AI firms struggle with scalability, access to massive datasets, and tech infrastructure, limiting their ability to compete with global AI powerhouses.
For Africa, the EU’s regulatory-first approach is both an opportunity and a challenge. On the one hand, stringent AI policies could prevent exploitative technologies from entering African markets, ensuring ethical deployment. On the other, excessive regulation may stifle innovation and limit collaboration, especially if EU policies fail to recognize Africa’s unique technological landscape. Many African nations are already shaping homegrown AI policies tailored to local realities, focusing on agriculture, healthcare, and governance rather than the Western-centric concerns around corporate AI dominance.
Therefore, while the EU is well-positioned to lead in AI governance, its leadership in AI innovation and real-world deployment remains uncertain. True global leadership requires inclusive partnerships where African voices, data sovereignty, and technological priorities are recognized—not just as recipients of AI regulations but as equal stakeholders in shaping its future. This is my viewpoint as an African.
New EU regulation of "AI" just block AI progress, especially if consider it seriously but not formally. In many application it is just impossible to follow these new rules (especially rules related to "equality").
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