As AI accelerates, governments are increasingly being left behind

European leaders gathered in a 19th-century palace outside Brussels to discuss the rapidly evolving technology of artificial intelligence. The European Commission's president, Ursula von der Leyen, set the agenda for AI, with the technology's economic potential and safety concerns dominating the conversation. Jim Hagemann Snabe, the new AI czar of Germany's Siemens, highlighted ways Europe could use AI for economic gain, while others raised concerns about AI safety and the risks associated with the technology.

Since the meeting in September, von der Leyen and her commissioners have been left asking what measures to take to address the fast-changing technology. They are torn between wanting to harness AI's potential and fearing its risks, with limited technological know-how, national politics, geopolitical divisions, and reluctance to fall behind in the AI race further complicating the issue.

Many countries are waiting for the United States and China to take the lead in AI policies, but both nations have taken varying approaches, with the US divided on AI safety and China imposing rules to censor chatbot content while racing ahead in development. Some governments, like those of India, Japan, Australia, Canada, and Kenya, have taken a lighter touch or a wait-and-see approach, while others, like Brazil, are debating more comprehensive rules.

The pressure to act is growing, especially in light of recent calls for slowing AI development and strengthening government oversight from leaders of AI companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind. Despite the growing concerns, many governments are still grappling with how to regulate and address the risks associated with AI, creating a policy vacuum with crucial time disappearing as AI continues to spread.