Why Google Signed EU's AI Code of Practice Despite Concerns

Google has announced it will sign the EU’s voluntary AI Code of Practice, joining a fractured industry response to the regulatory framework as the August 2025 compliance deadline approaches.

The company’s decision places it alongside OpenAI and Anthropic in supporting the voluntary guidelines. 

However, the commitment comes with reservations about potential impacts on European innovation and competitiveness.

“We do so with the hope that this Code, as applied, will promote European citizens’ and businesses’ access to secure, first-rate AI tools as they become available,” Google says in its announcement. 

The company emphasises that prompt deployment remains important, citing projections that Europe could boost its economy by 8% annually by 2034.

The Code of Practice serves as an implementation guide for the EU AI Act, the world’s first AI legislation that regulates AI systems based on their potential risks. 

The voluntary framework specifically addresses general-purpose AI models - powerful systems that can perform multiple tasks rather than being designed for specific applications.

OpenAI and Anthropic back framework

OpenAI, is an early adopter of the voluntary framework, joining Mistral, which creates open-source language models, as signatories to the agreement.

“Signing the code reflects our commitment to providing capable, accessible and secure AI models for Europeans to fully participate in the economic and societal benefits of the Intelligence Age,” OpenAI says in its announcement.

Anthropic has also announced its intention to sign. Dario Amodei, Anthropic’s CEO, says: “We believe the code advances the principles of transparency, safety and accountability – values that have long been championed by Anthropic for frontier AI development.”

Microsoft appears likely to follow suit.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, says: “I think it’s likely we will sign. We need to read the documents.

“Our goal is to find a way to be supportive and at the same time, one of the things we welcome is the direct engagement by the AI Office with industry.”

Meta rejects code as regulatory overreach

Meta has taken a contrasting position. The company argues the framework threatens European AI development and deployment.

Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer who replaced Nick Clegg earlier this year, warns that Europe is pursuing misguided AI policies.

Joel previously served as Vice President of US policy at Facebook before taking on global responsibilities – and argues: “Europe is heading down the wrong path on AI,” warning the code would “throttle the development and deployment of frontier AI models in Europe and stunt European companies looking to build businesses on top of them.”

He adds: “The code introduces several legal uncertainties for model developers, as well as measures which go far beyond the scope of the AI Act.”

The code establishes requirements across three areas for companies developing general-purpose AI models: 

• Transparency
• Copyright compliance
• GPAI with Systemic Risk

Transparency obligations require providers to maintain technical documentation about their models and datasets – and Copyright compliance mandates clear internal policies outlining how training data is obtained and used under EU copyright rules. 

The latter category covers the most powerful AI systems, including OpenAI’s latest models, Anthropic’s Claude 4 Opus, and Google’s Gemini systems.

The most advanced models face additional safety and security obligations, including robust risk assessments and governance frameworks for managing potential threats.

Industry and Google’s concerns mount ahead of deadline

Google acknowledges concerns about the regulatory approach whilst committing to participation – warning that departures from EU copyright law, delayed approvals, or requirements exposing trade secrets could harm European competitiveness.

“While the final version of the Code comes closer to supporting Europe’s innovation and economic goals than where it began — and we appreciate the opportunity we have been provided to submit comments — we remain concerned that the AI Act and Code risk slowing Europe’s development and deployment of AI,” the company says.

“In particular, departures from EU copyright law, steps that slow approvals, or requirements that expose trade secrets could chill European model development and deployment, harming Europe’s competitiveness.”

More than 40 of Europe’s largest businesses, including aerospace manufacturer Airbus and semiconductor manufacturer ASML Holding, have signed a letter requesting the European Commission delay AI Act implementation by two years.

The penalties for non-compliance create substantial incentives for participation. 

Companies face fines of up to €35m (US$38.5m) or 7% of global annual turnover, whichever is greater. 

For general-purpose AI model providers specifically, the European Commission may impose fines of up to €15m (US$16.5m) or 3% of worldwide annual turnover.

The Commission has indicated that companies adhering to an approved Code of Practice will face simplified compliance paths, with regulators focusing enforcement on checking code commitments rather than conducting comprehensive audits of every AI system.

The voluntary code was developed by 13 independent experts with input from more than 1,000 stakeholders, including model providers, small and medium-sized enterprises, academics, AI safety experts, rights-holders and civil society organisations.

Google says: “We are committed to working with the AI Office to ensure the Code is proportionate and responsive to the rapid and dynamic evolution of AI.

“And we will be an active voice in supporting a pro-innovation approach that leads to future investment and innovation in Europe that benefits everyone.”