Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Spotify's CEO Daniel Ek have expressed concerns regarding European regulations on open-source artificial intelligence, warning that the continent may lag behind due to overly complex rules.

In a joint statement released on Friday, the CEOs highlighted that Europe, which boasts a larger number of open-source developers than the United States, is ideally positioned to capitalize on the burgeoning open-source AI movement.

However, they noted that the region's fragmented regulatory landscape, characterized by inconsistent application, is stifling innovation and hindering developers.

The tech sector in Europe is confronted with "overlapping regulations and unclear compliance guidance," rather than straightforward rules.

They argued that a more streamlined regulatory framework would not only expedite the advancement of open-source AI but also bolster support for European developers and the wider creator ecosystem.

In June, the Irish privacy regulator requested that Meta refrain from launching its AI models in Europe for the time being, following a directive to postpone plans to utilize data from Facebook and Instagram users.

As a result of the existing regulations, Meta is unable to introduce its forthcoming AI models, such as Llama multimodal, which can interpret images, in Europe.

This situation would leave European users with AI solutions designed for other markets, the CEOs warned.

Spotify highlighted its early investments in AI to enhance personalized user experiences, which have contributed to the platform's success.

The CEOs criticized laws intended to bolster European sovereignty and competitiveness, stating that they are achieving the opposite effect. They urged Europe to "simplify and harmonize regulations to harness the advantages of a unified yet diverse market."

In conclusion, they asserted that Europe requires a new strategy with clearer policies and more consistent enforcement, cautioning that it risks missing a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" if it continues on its current trajectory.

The EU Commission has not yet responded to a request for comment from Reuters.