Op-ed on 'Open Hands, Firm Standards: Europe’s Next Chapter on AI'

Written several weeks ago, this publication could not be more timely as the latest US National Security Strategy has injected fresh friction into the transatlantic relationship. Over the last 72 hours, EU newspapers and LinkedIn posts have painted a rather gloomy picture. But is outrage or an obsession with the next moves from Washington really our best option right now?

Let's have a look at my essay, in which I argue that - also in the field of AI - the global landscape has shifted from strong international cooperation to competitive national AI strategies. An US "speed-first" approach stands against a European "trust-first" model. Yet, to maintain leadership in this fractured environment, the EU must evolve beyond simply legislating the AI Act to exporting practical methods.

For that to happen, I propose triggering a different kind of Brussels effect, one that is based on interoperability rather than just statute. Accordingly, the EU should operationalise its AI governance model by publishing usable, standardised tools (e.g. model cards, risk checklists, and evaluation protocols) that global companies can easily adopt. My key recommendations include accelerating technical standardisation, foster international cooperation between regulatory sandboxes, and exporting auditing expertise (also in terms of AI governance experts) to international partners.

By making compliance with firm European standards the most predictable and cost-effective route for AI developers & deployers worldwide, Europe can shape global AI safety and stay relevant on the global AI market. The ultimate goal is thereby not to win a tech race against the US, but to make the path to #trustworthy #AI the easiest one for the world to walk.

Going back to the current discussions about the US National Security Strategy, my piece indicates that outrage is not a strategy. In a world, in which the fundamental principles of realism (i.e. statism, survival, and self-help) are back, Europe rather needs to smarten up and opt for the most rational & pragmatic option at hand. A recommendation that applies not only to AI policy.

Read the full piece here.