The CEO of German engineering giant Bosch delivered a stark warning on Wednesday, arguing that Europe is at risk of falling behind in the global AI race due to “excessive regulation.”
Speaking at a tech conference, CEO Stefan Hartung cautioned that the continent is “unnecessarily delaying its AI future.” He criticized the combination of bureaucracy and strict, vague requirements, which he says makes Europe less attractive for AI development compared to other regions. Hartung urged lawmakers to adopt a lighter touch, establishing a framework that covers only the most critical points.
“Otherwise,” he warned, “we will regulate ourselves to death because we are trying to regulate against technological progress.”
The warning comes as Bosch, which holds the most AI patents in Europe, plans to invest an additional 2.5 billion euros ($2.90 billion) in the field by 2027. The company is developing AI solutions for various applications, including autonomous driving and more efficient industrial systems.
The pressure to innovate has intensified globally. The U.S. recently announced a massive private-sector investment of up to $500 billion to fund AI infrastructure. At the same time, the EU has unveiled plans to mobilize up to €200 billion for the sector. Hartung’s comments reflect a growing concern that Europe’s regulatory caution could stifle its ability to compete.
