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In this blog, we explore the possibilities for how the next US administration will impact on the regulation of AI, digital markets, and online platforms across Asia-Pacific. In sum, APAC governments may moderate their regulatory ambitions to avoid giving the impression of only targeting US companies. This could include greater consideration of alternatives to EU-style regulation. However, if the US disengages from multilateral cooperation on issues such as AI, it could accelerate fragmentation and force businesses to adapt policies and products for different markets. Do give it a read and get in touch if you would like to discuss further.

EU and US Approaches to Big Tech: A Conversation with Margrethe Vestager American Enterprise Institute 10 Apr 2024 #livestream #live #aei Rapid developments in artificial intelligence have policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic scrambling to respond. The EU’s recently approved AI Act would regulate a wide range of applications deemed to pose privacy, national security, product safety, and other risks. The Biden administration’s executive order on AI has adopted a similarly multifaceted approach, touching on discrimination, fraud, immigration, biothreats, and other issues. The EU, with its Digital Markets and Digital Services Acts, also continues to play a leading role in regulating the broader technology sector. Meanwhile, American antitrust policymakers appear to be moving in the direction of their European counterparts, with their attention shifting from preventing harm to consumers to seeing company size and market size as intrinsically problematic. AEI’s Stan Veuger welcomes Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age and European Commissioner for Competition, for a conversation about AI governance, technological progress, and transatlantic economic cooperation in the face of increased geopolitical tension.

How does a government that is simultaneously an investor, a supplier, and a customer of artificial intelligence regulate the industry? Professor Angela Huyue Zhang, an experienced navigator of the wild world of tech regulation in China, introduces her latest deep dive on our blog. https://lnkd.in/eGczV33i

"Japan's ruling party will push national AI legislation in 2024, accelerating regulatory efforts to control the new technology in Asia." Learn more about the latest tech policy updates with CEPA’s Transatlantic Tech Policy Tracker.

Important article! "The False Choice Between Digital Regulation and Innovation" When people say we shouldn't regulate AI because it will hamper innovation, my first argument is always that a majority of big AI company CEOs have publicly called for regulation so that they can get out of the uncomfortable race to ship irresponsible and unsafe AI. I made that case to the US Senate last month, link in comments. Another, perhaps even better, argument is that there is strong empirical evidence that, when comparing innovation in Europe to the US, the difference between the size and vibrancy of the European and US tech sectors is about much more than regulation. Sometimes regulation can actually spur innovation. The European tech industry is held back more by factors such as lack of access to capital, a fragmented market, punitive bankruptcy laws, cultures of risk-aversion, and migration policy. This critically important argument is made by Anu Bradford of Columbia Law School, just published by Northwestern University Law Review. I discussed this with Julien Steimer of the Ministère des Affaires étrangères français (~French Department of State) during his visit to Silicon Valley earlier this year, after I saw an earlier draft of this article circulating. I learned that this spurious argument is used as much in Europe to fight against tech regulation as it is here in the US. The tech industry is less regulated than any other major industry, and the time is now for binding, coherent and enforceable regulations to be passed in the United States. If US Congress continues to fail to do this, I'll keep focusing on helping policymakers do this work in Sacramento and Brussels, the two capitals amongst the world's democracies most capable of getting this job done. Partial abstract (Thx Philipp Hacker for sharing final version): "This Article challenges the common view that more stringent regulation of the digital economy inevitably compromises innovation and undermines technological progress. This view, vigorously advocated by the tech industry, has shaped the public discourse in the United States, where the country’s thriving tech economy is often associated with a staunch commitment to free markets. U.S. lawmakers have also traditionally embraced this perspective, which explains their hesitancy to regulate the tech industry to date. The European Union has chosen another path, regulating the digital economy with stringent data privacy, antitrust, content moderation, and other digital regulations designed to shape the evolution of the tech economy toward European values around digital rights and fairness...." #AI #TechPolicy #AIPolicy #Capital ICSI - International Computer Science Institute | University of California, Berkeley | Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) | Brennan Center for Justice | European Union Delegation to the United States | University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business

📢 Mark your calendars! On June 4, CERRE will be hosting a special event to discuss the future of innovation and the governance of foundational technologies in the EU's digital markets as the current legislative mandate concludes.   🔥 Featuring a fireside chat with Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, and Bruno LIEBHABERG, Executive Chairman of CERRE.   👥 The fireside chat will be followed by a broader discussion also involving Olivier Guersent, Director General of the European Commission DG Competition; Benoît Coeuré, President of the French Competition Authority; and Prof. Viktoria (Vicky) Robertson, Head of the Competition Law and Digitalization Group, WU Vienna.   More information ➡ https://lnkd.in/ezFPxVn4 #Innovation #EURegulation #EUDigitalMarket #AI #Competition #Competitiveness #Foundationaltechnologies

"The European Union’s artificial intelligence ambitions may fall short. Brussels wants to enact vanguard regulation that makes the new technology safer and more competitive. But overly detailed legislation makes it more likely the EU, and emerging local champions, get left behind." #Business #Competition #Economy #Finance #Europe #EuropeanUnion #EuropeanCommission #Technology https://lnkd.in/dtueUfTv

Will the European Parliament's swing to the right slow tech regulation? The European Parliament elections last weekend saw major gains for far-right parties, which could have significant implications for tech policy and regulation in the EU...and around the globe. As they tend to pull the regulatory lever quicker than the innovate, the EU has rolled out some of the strictest tech regulations over the last several years, like the Digital Services Act on content moderation, the Digital Markets Act targeting anti-competitive practices, and the AI Act governing artificial intelligence, many of which target big tech in the US. With more far-right lawmakers in Parliament, there could be a trend toward lighter enforcement of existing tech rules that some view more as falling within the censorship bucket of regulation. As we've seen with the more conservative, business-friendly movement, there's also a broader push to slow-roll new tech regulations and instead attempt to bolster Europe's tech industry. The incoming center-right and far-right majority will likely be more receptive to this argument of prioritizing innovation over continued regulation. The shifting power dynamics in the #European #Parliament could significantly impact the trajectory of tech policy and #transatlantic cooperation in this sector and potentially lead to a regulatory ceasefire making the revival of something resembling a transatlantic #digital alliance a bit more plausible...and we will all be watching closely as #AI, #privacy, #contentmoderation, and #competition continue to be debated stateside. Monument Advocacy

The recent book talk, titled "How China Governs Big Tech and Regulates Artificial Intelligence," featuring Professor Angela Huyue Zhang, Associate Professor of Law at the 香港大學 University of Hong Kong, shed light on insights from her upcoming book "#HighWire: How China Regulates #BigTech and Governs Its Economy." Joined by panelists Sebastien Evrard, Professor Sida Liu, and Professor Jin Li, moderated by Jingxian Z., the event provided an insightful exploration of China's tech regulation landscape. As someone intrigued by China's antitrust exceptionalism, Professor Angela Zhang's forthcoming book piqued my interest. Currently engaged in arranging English writing for a book review article assessing "Chinese Antitrust Exceptionalism: How The Rise of China Challenges Global Regulation," her new publication offers "unexpected insights" (or I would say "accidental gift"), allowing for an updated analysis with fresh perspectives. Professor Zhang's transition from a speech to a new book reflects the dynamic nature of China's regulatory environment. While her prior publication laid a solid foundation, the evolving landscape of tech regulation in China necessitates ongoing updates and deeper analyses, prompting the need for a comprehensive rewrite. The panelists unanimously recognized the significance of Professor Zhang's new book in enriching the global academic discourse on tech regulation. Sébastien Evrard highlighted Professor Zhang's unique perspective and intellectual courage, while Professor Sida Liu commended his insightful analysis and readiness to challenge conventional narratives. Professor Jin Li underscored the interdisciplinary appeal of the book, foreseeing its relevance across various fields beyond law. Beyond the panel discussions, Angela Zhang's presentation left several open questions and critical points for further exploration. The audience's inquiries spanned topics such as the role of personal connections in #Chinesetechregulation, the future trajectory of #AI development, and the strategies of Chinese tech companies in international markets. These queries underscored the complexity of China's tech regulatory landscape, indicating avenues for future research and analysis. In conclusion, this book talk offered a revealing glimpse into the intricacies of China's tech regulation, driven by Professor Zhang's expertise and the valuable contributions of the panelists. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, her work remains essential reading for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to comprehend the dynamics of tech regulation in China and beyond.

Pleased to share our Digital Policy Agenda for Europe, outlining six key areas for EU policymakers in the next mandate. Drawing on our technical leadership and long standing ties to the European business community, we’re looking at ‘what next’ after a comprehensive AI Act, why Europe should get quantum ready, how to foster and innovative environment for European companies and their partners, and other crucial areas. https://lnkd.in/eytZ3YJW