Meta has refused to endorse the European Union's new voluntary Code of Practice for general-purpose AI, citing legal overreach and risks to innovation.
The company warns that the framework could slow development and deter investment by imposing expectations beyond upcoming AI laws.
In a LinkedIn post, Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief global affairs officer, called the code confusing and burdensome, criticising its requirements for reporting, risk assessments and data transparency.
He argued that such rules could limit the open release of AI models and harm Europe's competitiveness in the field.
The code, published by the European Commission, is intended to help companies prepare for the binding AI Act, set to take effect from August 2025. It encourages firms to adopt best practices on safety and ethics while building and deploying general-purpose AI systems.
While firms like Microsoft are expected to sign on, Meta's refusal could influence other developers to resist what they view as Brussels overstepping. The move highlights ongoing friction between Big Tech and regulators as global efforts to govern AI rapidly evolve.
