MONTREAL — The European Union’s democracy commissioner, Michael McGrath, stated that he will not "lecture" other nations as the EU advances its regulations on technology platforms and artificial intelligence. McGrath is currently in Canada, where the Liberal government is focusing on an AI policy that prioritizes adoption over strict regulation.

During a conference in Montreal, McGrath highlighted upcoming EU legislation aimed at addressing issues such as addictive design, unfair personalization, and accountability for influencers. He emphasized the EU's capacity, with its 27 member states, to enact significant changes in the tech landscape.

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon expressed concerns about the regulatory environment, citing the United States' anti-regulation stance. Solomon suggested that Canada might be wasting its efforts by pursuing stringent regulations independently.

McGrath aims to establish common ground with Canada on digital consumer protection matters. He also plans to engage with Canadian lawmakers about the potential threats to democracy posed by deepfakes and artificial intelligence technologies.

This visit underscores the EU's commitment to shaping a regulatory framework while respecting the approaches of other countries, including Canada. McGrath's discussions may influence future collaborations on technology and AI regulation between the EU and Canada.