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High-growth, AI-enabled businesses would benefit from many of the initiatives in this nine-point plan, including adjusting the regulatory balance from protection to innovation, encouraging AI, unlocking capital markets and improving skills.
Businesses rank the environment for AI investment, development and use as the fourth most important technology-related factor determining where they invest. EY research finds that almost all European CEOs are making or planning significant investments in generative AI (GenAI), so this issue will become more important. But only 44% of the surveyed executives say that Europe performs better than other regions on this.
How can policymakers help Europe catch up?
- Boost digital skills: Executives say that availability of a workforce with technology skills (e.g., scientists, engineers and data analysts) is the top technology-related factor that determines where they invest. So, Europe needs programs that build on its existing strengths and enhance existing capabilities.
- Be prepared to adopt the EU AI Act: The EU has a track record of very slowly adapting regulation once it is implemented. This is not possible with AI because the technology and its applications evolve rapidly. Regulators will need to be agile and balance the need to encourage innovation with protecting citizens.
- Reduce bureaucracy: High levels of red tape compared with the US deter some technology entrepreneurs from establishing operations in Europe. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are developing AI-enabled technology will need access to EU funding and help with demonstrating regulatory compliance, so they do not become overburdened.