The first global legislative framework on artificial intelligence, the AI Act opens a new era. But between stated ambitions and realities on the ground, French and Spanish companies reveal both the hopes and fears of a Europe in search of competitiveness.
By Guillaume Rostand and Jérémie Benhamou.
The adoption of the AI Act by the European Union marks a historic turning point in the regulation of artificial intelligence. The world’s first global legislative framework on AI, this regulation raises both hopes and concerns. While its implementation will last until 2026, a question remains: how will European economic players transform this constraint into a lever for growth? Observations on the ground reveal a largely wait-and-see attitude on the part of French and Spanish companies regarding the AI Act. This caution, although understandable, masks contrasting realities between the two countries.
In France, only 10% of companies with more than 10 employees currently use AI, a figure lower than the European average of 13%. This limited adoption reveals a central problem: the skills shortage. French leaders express a double fear: not having the talent necessary to comply with new regulatory requirements and bearing compliance costs considered too heavy, particularly for SMEs, which represent the majority of the French economic fabric.
Spain presents a different but equally worrying profile. With 11.4% adoption of AI by companies, the country is slightly ahead of France and shows encouraging economic results: 70% of companies using AI are already reporting profits. But paradoxically, Spanish companies are more worried about regulation: according to a Deloitte study, 46% cite regulatory compliance as the main obstacle to innovation.
Legitimate expectations, well-founded fears
This caution can be explained by legitimate expectations. Companies hope that the AI Act will provide the legal clarity necessary to invest calmly in AI. They also expect this European framework to become a competitive advantage against American and Chinese technological giants, by promoting an ethical and transparent approach to AI.
But the fears are real: the complexity of the regulation (108 articles and multiple annexes), the costs of compliance, the deadlines for application and above all the legal uncertainty. The most feared risk remains that regulation slows down innovation and accentuates the flight of talent towards more permissive ecosystems.
The risk of paralyzing over-regulation
Europe runs the risk of over-regulation which would weaken its competitiveness. technological. The figures speak for themselves: while the adoption of AI is stagnating in Europe (13% on average), it is exploding elsewhere. In the United States, 56% of companies are adopting generative AI quickly or very quickly, compared to only 44% in Spain and probably less in France.
This divergence reveals a paradox: Europe excels in fundamental research, but struggles to transform its innovations into commercial success. France has 751 AI startups having raised 1.4 billion euros in 2024, but these figures remain modest compared to American and Chinese investments. Spain, despite its 2 billion euros of investment since 2020, also remains a secondary player on the world stage.
Overly restrictive regulations could discourage European entrepreneurs and slow down the adoption of AI, further widening the gap with international competition.
When Chinese and American companies massively develop and deploy AI, European companies risk remaining paralyzed by regulatory complexity.
The urgency of European mobilization
Faced with this observation, it is urgent that Europe goes beyond a strictly regulatory approach to unite its forces. Researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and public decision-makers must collaborate more to transform the AI Act into a strategic opportunity.
This mobilization is vital because the issues go far beyond simple compliance: it is a question of technological sovereignty. While Europe debates its rules, the United States and China are already building the ecosystems of tomorrow. In a race where speed is everything, every month counts.
Act rather than wait The AI Act is not a finish line but a starting point. It is up to European businesses and governments to make this framework a springboard rather than a brake. This requires going beyond the wait-and-see attitude that characterizes too many European companies today.
France must capitalize on research excellence and government support to close its skills gap. Spain must turn its lead in adoption into true sustainable technological leadership. But above all, the two countries must join forces with their European partners, to make the AI Act a competitive advantage rather than a handicap.
Europe has all the assets to succeed: world-class researchers, innovative companies, available capital. He only lacks one thing: the audacity to act. Because when it comes to AI, waiting is already losing.
