xAI signs part of the EU Code on the safety of AI models

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI will sign only part of the EU Code of Practice on General Purpose AI (GPAI) models. The startup announced this on X. "xAI," it explains, "supports AI safety and will sign the safety and security chapter of the EU Code of Practice for the AI Act. While the AI Act and the Code contain a section promoting AI safety, other sections contain requirements that are profoundly harmful to innovation, and the copyright provisions are clearly excessive."

When asked about the matter, Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier explained that "it is possible" to subscribe to only part of the Code, because it is "a voluntary instrument." "Complying with the AI Act is not an option, but an obligation," the spokesperson added, emphasizing that xAI will have to "demonstrate alternative means of compliance" with respect to the other two chapters of the Code, those relating to transparency and copyright.