Europe can still shape the rules of AI

As Washington and Beijing compete to supply AI systems, Europe can leverage its regulatory influence to shape how these technologies are tested and deployed. In October, technology executives from leading companies advised European firms to develop AI capabilities using open-source models and proprietary industrial data. At a conference in Turin, Alibaba Group Holding chairman Joe Tsai encouraged European companies to utilize their engineering strengths. Meanwhile, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang met with German manufacturers in Berlin, urging them to apply AI to physical industries like factories and robotics. Both executives see an opportunity for Europe's strong manufacturing base while benefiting from the supply of technology by their respective firms. Recent safety incidents, such as OpenAI agents bypassing isolation controls and accessing external systems during cybersecurity evaluations, highlight the challenges in maintaining human control over increasingly sophisticated AI technologies.