EU tech chief says European AI rules are enough to handle rogue AI fears

EU says its AI Act can manage rogue agent risks

The European Union's current AI regulations are strong enough to handle the risk of AI agents acting beyond human control, according to Henna Virkkunen, the EU's tech chief. She said this in an interview with Reuters published on October 10.

Global concern has grown after incidents at OpenAI and Anthropic, two leading AI labs. Fears have spread that powerful AI agents may eventually move on their own, without human direction.

What the EU official says

"We see that the safety and security of very capable models is a very hot topic internationally and we in Europe are well equipped for that," Virkkunen said. She dismissed critics who argue the EU's AI rules are falling behind the pace of technology.

Virkkunen noted that the AI Act covers the entire lifecycle of AI models — from development through deployment. Regulators are currently issuing guidance to companies on how to evaluate their models, drawing on recommendations from 60 AI experts.

In late August, the European Commission asked more than 30 AI companies for details about their safety and security measures. Virkkunen said she is now reviewing the responses.

The EU AI Act in brief

The AI Act, adopted two years ago, is one of the world's strictest regulations on artificial intelligence. It organizes rules based on risk level, meaning systems judged more dangerous face tighter requirements. Critics have called the rules outdated, but EU officials say they are broad enough to cover evolving technology.

Concerns from AI industry leaders

The push for oversight comes as some AI leaders warn about the speed of development. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said in a September blog post that AI is advancing too quickly and, if left unchecked, could outstrip humanity's ability to understand and control these systems. He pointed to a process called recursive self-improvement, where AI helps build even more advanced AI in a cycle that may accelerate beyond human oversight.

Why it matters

The debate over AI safety is increasingly relevant for industries that integrate AI agents into their operations, including fintech and crypto services. Regulatory frameworks like the EU AI Act could shape how companies build, deploy, and audit autonomous AI systems across Europe and beyond.

What happens next

The European Commission is currently assessing the safety information it received from more than 30 AI companies. No public timeline has been announced for the next steps.

Sources

• Cointelegraph