AI of the storm

Follow Us Get the newsletter Hi, it's Natalia in Brussels. For all the bluster in the U.S. about cracking down on and breaking up tech giants, Brussels is still likely to take point on actually writing some laws. Next up after privacy is artificial intelligence. An early draft of the EU's AI regulation plans obtained by Bloomberg shows officials are considering new, legally binding requirements for developers in "high-risk sectors," such as health care and transport. Leading the charge once again is Margrethe Vestager, the competition chief who levied more than $8.9 billion worth of antitrust fines against Alphabet Inc. over the past few years. So it's no surprise that Alphabet's chief Sundar Pichai made a pit-stop in Brussels to meet Vestager on his way to Davos this week. The Google CEO has been calling for "sensible regulation" of artificial intelligence, adding that the U.S. and Europe should coordinate their plans. In addition to AI, Vestager reigns over the EU's plans to overhaul legislation that could see companies like Google's YouTube shoulder more legal responsibility for content posted on their sites. She's also eyeing new rules for platforms over an alleged failure to play fair when they host smaller companies and compete directly with them -- an issue at the heart of the previous Google antitrust cases. Google and Brussels have for years butted heads over regulations, starting with the EU's multi-billion euro antitrust fines and its legislation on copyright. But on AI, the sides seem closer together. "There is no question in my mind that artificial intelligence needs to be regulated," Pichai said at a press conference Monday, adding that governments should prioritize industries with the most risk, such as self-driving cars. The Brussels cameo was a wise strategic move by Pichai given the impact that decisions taken here have on the company. Pichai even praised GDPR – Europe's privacy rules – as a good framework for any new rules. Whether Vestager or her colleagues are susceptible to a bit of flattery is... well... worth a shot. Natalia Drozdiak If you read one thing France signaled it had reached a truce with the U.S. in their dispute over digital taxes that will mean neither side will impose punitive tariffs this year. But before anyone pops the champagne,—neither a White House spokesman nor officials with the U.S. Trade Representative's office would confirm that U.S. President Donald Trump had called off his announced tariffs. The U.S. has threatened to hit $2.4 billion of French luxury items like wine, cheese and makeup with tariffs in retaliation for France's revenue tax on Google, Facebook and other tech giants. And here's what you need to know in global technology news Uber will sell its Uber Eats unit in India to local rival Zomato underscoring the ride-hailing giant's effort to cut back on loss-making operations. Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou shouldn't be dispatched to the U.S. because her alleged crimes don't meet Canada's legal tests for extradition, her defense lawyers said at the opening of hearings. The whole Musk going to Mars thing?  There's a problem.   Like Bloomberg's Fully Charged? Subscribe for unlimited access to trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and gain expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters, The Bloomberg Open and The Bloomberg Close. Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal. Find out more about how the Terminal delivers information and analysis that financial professionals can't find anywhere else. Learn more.   You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Fully Charged newsletter. Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022