Bosch CEO oarns EU Over AI regulation, announces €2.5 billion investment by 2027

Bosch CEO Stefan Hartung has voiced strong concerns over the trajectory of artificial intelligence regulation in Europe, warning that overly stringent policies could impede the region’s global competitiveness in the fast-evolving sector. Speaking on June 25 at a technology conference hosted by Bosch in Stuttgart, Hartung stated that Europe is “unnecessarily delaying its AI future with excessive regulation,” highlighting the growing tension between innovation and oversight within the European Union.

His remarks come amid ongoing debates surrounding the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act, which is set to become one of the world’s most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for AI. Critics, including industry leaders like Hartung, argue that the proposed rules risk stifling innovation and slowing commercial deployment, particularly when compared to more flexible approaches in the United States and Asia.

Bosch currently holds the largest number of AI-related patents in Europe, underlining its strategic interest in ensuring a favorable environment for AI development. In line with its ambitions, the company announced it will invest an additional €2.5 billion (approximately $2.9 billion USD) in artificial intelligence initiatives by the end of 2027. This investment is aimed at accelerating research, development, and application of AI technologies across sectors including mobility, manufacturing, and smart infrastructure.

As the global race for AI leadership intensifies, Hartung’s comments add to a growing chorus of voices within Europe’s tech industry calling for a more balanced approach—one that safeguards ethical standards without hampering innovation or economic growth.