EU seeks input from public on data usage for AI development

The European Commission‘s push for feedback on AI data usage marks a significant step in shaping the EU’s approach to artificial intelligence development. By launching this consultation to inform their upcoming Data Union Strategy, the Commission is working to create the regulatory framework and data infrastructure necessary for Europe to compete in the global AI race while maintaining its distinctive focus on trust and cross-border collaboration.

The big picture: The European Commission is soliciting public input on data usage in AI development to inform its forthcoming Data Union Strategy, with consultation open until July 18.

• The strategy aims to build high-quality, interoperable datasets necessary for AI development while ensuring coherence between policies, infrastructures, and legal instruments.
• This initiative directly supports President Ursula von der Leyen’s political vision of transforming Europe into “an AI continent.”

Why this matters: The Data Union Strategy represents Europe’s approach to balancing AI innovation with its established regulatory framework while addressing the data foundations needed for competitive AI development.

• The strategy specifically targets support for generative AI, which requires massive datasets to function effectively.
• By focusing on data sharing, trusted flows, and interoperability, the EU is addressing a critical infrastructure challenge for European AI development.

Key details: The consultation invites input from academia, researchers, and industry stakeholders to shape the final strategy.

• The initiative builds upon existing work on cross-border data flows and common data spaces, connecting them more explicitly to the AI ecosystem.
• The strategy aims to establish trust in data sharing, which has been a consistent European priority in digital regulation.

Behind the numbers: While not quantified in the announcement, the EU faces significant challenges in building competitive AI datasets compared to those available to American and Chinese developers.

• European data protection regulations like GDPR create higher compliance barriers for data collection and use than in other regions.
• Creating “high-quality, interoperable, and diverse datasets” will require substantial coordination across member states and private sector entities.