Between yesterday and today Word spread like wildfire that OpenAI was considering an exit from Europe, as a result of the regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, which is being prepared by the Community’s administrative bodies. Undoubtedly a very juicy headline since the announcement of ChatGPT’s departure from the European common space, even more so after the precedent set by its blocking in Italy a few months ago, is one of those news that is a click magnet. The unfortunate thing is that, as we explain below, those reports are not true.

It is true that the future regulation of artificial intelligence in the European Union the worries of big tech related to it, such as Google, Microsoft and the case that concerns us today, OpenAI. And, of course, they are trying to enforce their criteria so that they are taken into account during the preparation of the aforementioned new standard. Google, for example, we told you yesterday when we talked about the Search Generative Experience that Google is very actively cooperating with the European Union in this process, which, surprisingly, will be reflected in the future arrival in the common European space of search services. A company based on artificial intelligence, as expected Bard.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman drove on this side of the Atlantic, in which he met various authorities such as the British Prime Minister. As expected, in his appearances to the media, the situation of OpenAI in the EU was a recurring question, to which Altman replied that he expected the future legislation to have elements of the European regulatory style, but also take some from the US, generally less interventionist. He also stated that his intention was to cooperate and adapt to this new framework and that only if that was not possible for him would they have to leave Europe.

a very productive week of conversations in Europe about how best to regulate AI! we are excited to continue operating here and of course have no plans to leave.

—Sam Altman (@sama) May 26, 2023

However, reading many of the headlines, it appears that OpenAI’s exit from the European Union is part of the company’s plans. And such headlines made so much noise that Sam Altman himself had to deny that OpenAI was planning to take over ChatGPT from Europe. he passed tweet on his personal account, where he couldn’t have been more clear:

«A very productive week of conversations in Europe on how to better regulate AI! We are excited to continue operating here and of course have no plans to leave.»

As is often the case in these cases, I’m sure far fewer reports will be published denying OpenAI’s supposed plans to march than those who yesterday saw the light going in the opposite direction, but the problem is not so great that as “if we have no choice, we will have to go» (it’s not literal, but I intend to get it perfectly) you get headlines and news that the company is planning to leave the EU. Anyway, nothing new under the sun.