Europe’s AI Act: World’s first guardrails or just a flashy head start?

“We wanted to be first with a flashy AI law,” says Kai Zenner, digital policy advisor in the European Parliament.

Speaking with GZERO's Tony Maciulis at the 2025 AI for Good Summit in Geneva, Zenner explains the ambitions and the complications behind Europe’s landmark AI Act. Designed to create horizontal rules for all AI systems, the legislation aims to set global standards for safety, transparency, and oversight. But some of Europe’s largest companies are pushing back, saying the rollout is too fast and too rigid. Zenner acknowledges the growing pains, but insists the law was designed to evolve over time.

With workforce disruption, reskilling, and ethical concerns looming large, Zenner remains a digital optimist. “If we use AI wisely, we can fight discrimination, climate change, and energy waste,” he says. “But only if we get the governance right."

This conversation is presented by GZERO in partnership with Microsoft, from the 2025 AI for Good Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Stage series convenes global leaders for critical conversations on the geopolitical and technological trends shaping our world.