The European Commission recently announced that over 100 major companies have signed the EU’s voluntary Artificial Intelligence Pact, pledging to develop AI in a safe and ethical way. Tech giants like Google, IBM, Adobe, Microsoft, and Qualcomm are among the companies on board, but two major names are missing: Apple and Meta.
Meta’s Stance and Future Considerations
Meta has already addressed its absence from the pact, stating it may reconsider joining at a later date. The company emphasized its focus on complying with the EU’s AI Act, a broader legal framework governing artificial intelligence. Meta highlighted the importance of harmonizing EU regulations while maximizing AI’s potential to drive innovation and competition across Europe. Meta said it is concentrating on “compliance work” and remains open to participating in the pact in the future.
Apple's AI Development and Reluctance
Apple, on the other hand, has not yet provided a reason for why it hasn’t joined the pact. Although slow compared to others, Apple’s AI development has steadily advanced with features expected to be included in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia under the Apple Intelligence suite.
Apple has incorporated AI safeguards focused on minimizing hallucinations during prompts and prioritizing user privacy. For instance, Apple’s AI processes information off-device with secure encryption. Apple has also committed to voluntary AI safety measures under a U.S. presidential executive order but has yet to align with the EU’s AI Pact.
What Is the EU AI Pact?
The AI Pact is a set of voluntary pledges intended to complement the EU’s upcoming AI Act. Companies that sign the pact commit to developing AI systems responsibly and safely, particularly in areas that could pose high risks. The core commitments include:
- Developing AI governance strategies for future compliance with the AI Act.
- Identifying and managing high-risk AI systems.
- Promoting AI literacy and ethics among employees.
Many companies have also agreed to additional pledges, such as human oversight, risk mitigation, and transparency in AI-generated content like deepfakes.
Apple’s Issues with the EU’s Digital Markets Act
Apple’s reluctance to join the pact could stem from its ongoing tensions with the EU over the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Recently, Apple refused to introduce its Apple Intelligence suite in the EU due to what it claims are restrictive DMA regulations. The EU, in turn, called Apple’s stance a “stunning declaration” of anti-competitiveness. This conflict could explain why Apple hasn’t aligned with the EU’s AI Pact for now, although it may join in the future.
