TL;DR:
- French senators criticize the government’s position in EU AI Act negotiations.
- Concerns were raised about a lobbyist’s influence and conflicts of interest involving former Digital State Secretary Cédric O.
- The EU AI Act aims to regulate artificial intelligence globally.
- Allegations of weakening the AI regulation bill by Cédric O and Mistral.
- Digital Minister Jean-Noël Barrot denies allegations, emphasizing transparency measures.
- Copyright protection is a key point of contention in the debate.
- Critics argue that France is aligning with US tech interests rather than supporting culture and copyrights.
- The High Authority for Transparency restricts Cédric O from lobbying and owning tech sector shares.
- Cédric O’s undisclosed shares in Mistral AI raise ethical concerns.
- The French government faces growing scrutiny and calls for transparency.
Main AI News:
In a recent development surrounding the European Union’s groundbreaking AI Act, French senators have voiced their concerns regarding the government’s stance. The central issues at hand are the perceived lack of copyright protection and allegations of undue influence from a lobbyist with potential conflicts of interest, namely former Digital State Secretary Cédric O.
The EU AI Act aims to establish the world’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, a move that has gained momentum in response to the emergence of powerful AI models like GPT-4, which are utilized in systems such as ChatGPT. EU policymakers have been diligently working on shaping regulations to govern these influential AI models.
Catherine Morin-Desailly, a centrist senator, made her stance clear during the government’s question time on December 20th, accusing Cédric O and the influential lobbyist known as Mistral of swaying the French government’s position on the AI regulation bill proposed by the European Commission. She asserted that their efforts were geared towards weakening the bill.
Morin-Desailly further highlighted the media’s coverage of Cédric O’s substantial financial gains when he joined Mistral, a company prominently associated with American corporations and investment funds. She emphasized that this financial arrangement had raised eyebrows within the Intergovernmental Committee on AI, an entity established by the government.
These accusations were vehemently denied by the incumbent Digital Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, who emphasized the role of the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life in ensuring the absence of conflicts of interest among former government members. Barrot also refuted allegations that France was advocating for private interests, emphasizing that the government prioritized the general interest in its decision-making process.
The Copyright Debate
Barrot echoed the official governmental stance, stating that, in alignment with Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, the government supported European innovation in artificial intelligence. Their rationale was driven by the need to catch up with major tech giants and secure a leading position in the AI landscape. Barrot contended that fostering AI champions in Europe would ultimately provide the best protection for citizens, authors, artists, and journalists.
However, Barrot’s stance faced criticism during a Senate hearing earlier on the same day. Pascal Rogard, director of the Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers, argued that, for the first time, France, under Jean-Noël Barrot’s leadership, had not supported culture, the creative industry, or copyrights.
Morin-Desailly questioned whether France’s position on AI was aligning itself too closely with the interests of major US tech companies. Drawing parallels with big tech’s stance on copyright in the digital single market, Rogard pointed out that, since its enforcement, there had been no observable negative impact on big tech’s business activities.
Conflicts of Interest
Morin-Desailly raised concerns about Cédric O’s significant influence within the government, particularly with the President of the Republic. As a response, the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life imposed a three-year ban on O, preventing him from lobbying the government or holding shares in tech sector companies.
However, recent revelations from Capital indicated that O had purchased shares in Mistral AI through his consulting agency, amounting to €176.1 million. This investment has since appreciated significantly, reaching €23 million following the company’s last investment round in December.
Moreover, since September, O has been a member of the Committee on Generative Artificial Intelligence, tasked with advising the government on its AI policies. These developments have raised questions about O’s ethical responsibilities and potential conflicts of interest.
Centrist Member of Parliament Philippe Latombe emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that O had not declared his involvement with Mistral AI to the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life. Commissioner Breton himself expressed concerns about O’s actions, stating that they were far from being in the public interest.
Conclusion:
The French government’s handling of the EU AI Act negotiations, amid allegations of lobbyist influence and conflicts of interest, raises concerns about transparency and its commitment to safeguarding culture and copyrights. This scrutiny may impact the perception of France’s stance on AI regulation, potentially influencing the market’s perception of the country’s commitment to fostering innovation and protecting intellectual property rights in the tech sector.
