Von der Leyen Sets Out EU Priorities, From AI Curbs to Teen Social Media Limits
Ursula von der Leyen's state of the EU address proposed curbs on advanced AI, a social media ban for under-13s and closer EU-Canada ties.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her annual state of the European Union address on Wednesday to set out her priorities for the coming year and her vision for tackling the challenges facing the world's largest trading bloc.
Speaking in Strasbourg, von der Leyen said Europe must prepare for what she described as big challenges, ranging from artificial intelligence to wildfires. After a summer of fires and high temperatures, she called for a heat wave plan and a fleet of firefighting planes.
On technology, she proposed barring children under 13 across the 27-nation bloc from social media sites, online games and chatbots, with limits for older teenagers on accessing the platforms. The plan adds to global efforts to shield young users of services such as Instagram and TikTok from online harm. She also weighed in on the debate over artificial intelligence, saying she wants to slow down advanced AI development.
Turning to security, von der Leyen pointed to a worrying rise in drone incidents and sabotage and called for a NATO-like system to coordinate Europe's response. "Europe needs its own counter-hybrid playbook," she said, adding that consensus was urgently needed on how to respond to certain incidents.
In a striking overture, she proposed making Canada the European Union's first associate member, a move that comes as threats from U.S. President Donald Trump drive Ottawa closer to Europe. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was present in Strasbourg, where the two leaders shook hands and posed for photographs before a bilateral meeting.
Any of the proposals would still need to be debated and voted on by the EU's 27 member nations, a process that could take years and spark tensions with Trump, who has long criticised Europe's tech regulations.