EU Must Shift from AI Rule-Making to Implementation, Says Mattarella

European Union member states must transition from formulating artificial intelligence regulations to actively implementing them, according to Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Speaking at the COTEC Europa Symposium on Wednesday, Mattarella emphasized that the EU has spent considerable time discussing AI strategies and principles, but now faces the critical task of putting those frameworks into practical operation.

Mattarella called for EU member governments to move beyond "timidity and reservations" and commit to unified action on artificial intelligence governance. He stressed that countries must strengthen their innovation ecosystems to support this transition, noting that the challenge of managing AI development is both multifaceted and complex. The president argued that member states should not become obstacles to coordinated EU action on this crucial issue.

The remarks were made at a significant gathering where the presidents of the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese COTECs (innovation societies) signed a memorandum on artificial intelligence, signaling increased cooperation on the issue among Southern European nations. Mattarella's intervention underscores growing pressure within EU leadership to move beyond policy discussions and regulatory frameworks toward concrete implementation of AI governance standards across member states.