Asimov’s assertions on AI were never more relevant
AI is not simply another productivity tool; it is a transformative force says Ekaterina Abramova
In a recent letter to the Financial Times, 'Asimov’s assertions on AI were never more relevant' (8 July 2025), London Business School's Ekaterina Abramova, says: Your report “European CEOs urge Brussels to halt landmark AI Act” (July 3) reflects a growing tension between innovation and oversight. While the concerns of Airbus, BNP Paribas, and others over Europe’s competitiveness are valid, the idea that regulation is inherently obstructive is misguided.
Artificial intelligence is not simply another productivity tool; it is a transformative force with profound implications for jobs, civil liberties and security. The risks of unregulated AI, from autonomous weapons to algorithmic discrimination and systemic surveillance, are well documented. Thoughtful legislation, informed by consultations with AI experts, rather than stifling progress, provides the trust that safe and sustainable innovation depends on. Calls to delay or weaken the AI Act risk repeating a familiar mistake: prioritising short-term commercial advantage over long-term public interest. Europe should not step back from this moment of leadership.
Instead, it must refine and focus regulation on high-risk applications, ensure transparency and accountability, and establish global norms that protect democratic values. As Isaac Asimov recognised decades ago in fiction, intelligent machines need laws. In our very real 21st century, we need them even more.