Macron Says Germany, France Seek to Delay High-Risk AI Rules

The European Union has announced a comprehensive plan to streamline digital regulations aimed at enhancing competitiveness in the artificial intelligence sector and supporting local tech companies. This initiative reflects the EU's commitment to fostering innovation and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for technology firms.

Teresa Ribera, the European Union’s competition chief, announced that regulators are reviewing a significant offer from Google aimed at addressing alleged antitrust violations related to its advertising technology business. This scrutiny follows a substantial fine of nearly €3 billion ($3.5 billion) imposed on Google for these violations.

Raith, a German supplier of nano-technology for critical sectors like quantum computing, is considering a sale that could value the company at approximately €1 billion ($1.2 billion). The private equity owner is exploring this option amid growing interest in quantum technologies, which are becoming increasingly vital in various industries.

The European Union is contemplating increased scrutiny for the cloud businesses of Amazon and Microsoft. This consideration comes amid ongoing discussions about the regulatory landscape for major technology companies, particularly in the context of market power and competition. The EU's assessment aims to determine if additional regulations are necessary to ensure fair competition in the cloud services sector.

Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Corp.'s Azure are currently under investigation by the European Union. The inquiry aims to assess whether these leading cloud platforms should be subjected to regulations intended to limit the market power of major technology companies. This scrutiny reflects ongoing concerns about the dominance of Big Tech in the cloud computing sector and its implications for competition and consumer choice in the digital economy.