Foundation models, also largely known as general-purpose artificial intelligence (AI) systems (GPAI) or generative AI, have become the centre of regulatory discussions on AI across the globe.

Why is that the case? And why now?

Since the launch of ChatGPT* in late 2022, the focus of policymakers has shifted from broad discussions on AI governance to the specific case of generative AI and the concerns around such powerful AI systems.

*ChatGPT, a conversational AI chatbot that generates text based on user prompts, became the most widely used generative AI tool.

This report aims to clarify:

• what foundation models are;
• what characteristics of such models and what recent developments triggered the attention of legislators; and
• what rules could be put in place at a global level, as well as in the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States in particular.

For a free download of our analysis, please click on the below button.
Clients of our European Digital Economy service, can also access it directly on our client portal via "Access the ful content".