The EU's Apply AI Strategy Must Address the Issue of Double Regulation.

Through its new Apply AI strategy, the European Union is seeking to establish itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence innovation and application. The goal is to strengthen the competitiveness of strategic sectors, expand technological sovereignty and support SMEs in particular in introducing AI. The strategy focuses on cross-sector measures, a central governance structure, and the targeted promotion of AI in areas such as health, energy, mobility and industry.

While supporting the emphasis on industrial AI, Sarah Bäumchen, ZVEI Managing Director, calls for improvements to existing regulations: 'The Apply AI strategy's approach to promoting the use of AI in Europe is the right one. It is encouraging that the EU is also focusing on the industrial application of AI in particular. Unfortunately, however, the Apply AI strategy only addresses the AI Act in passing. It does not address the immense problems that this set of rules poses alongside other legal acts. The EU should therefore use the Digital Omnibus to adapt the legal framework. Industrial AI should be excluded from the AI Act; the Data Act's data-sharing obligations in the B2B sector should be withdrawn; or the use of personal data should be permitted under the GDPR in principle.