The EU AI Act negotiations recently hit a major roadblock after EU Council Member States France and Germany unexpectedly pushed back on the European Parliament's draft position on regulating foundation models. The obstacle was so sudden, it appeared the negotiations were in a stalemate. Though the issue has not yet been fully resolved, the Spanish presidency of the EU Council is reportedly working with Member States to find a position that is workable for the European Parliament.

This comes as the IAPP hosts its sold out Data Protection Congress 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. To be sure, the foundation model issue is not the only sticking point remaining in the trilogue negotiations. There are others.

To get the inside scoop, I had the chance to catch up with EU AI Act co-rapportuer Dragoș Tudorache and Kai Zenner, head of staff for German MEP Axel Voss about the negotiations, the obstacles and whether there will be an agreement before next year's parliamentary elections.