Everyone's losing their minds over the EU AI Act, but they're missing the point. I've been through three major regulatory shifts as a founder, and I can tell you the real danger isn't about compliance. It's something much more subtle. Here's my guide to navigating the new AI rules without getting sidetracked.
What I've Learned From 118 Companies
A few patterns in AI regulation come up again and again.
The founders who handle AI regulation well understand that the market doesn't care about your roadmap.
The Reality Nobody Talks About
A lot of the advice on AI regulation rests on assumptions that made sense five years ago. The world has moved on.
The first thing to understand is that the best solutions are often the simplest ones. I've seen this play out across dozens of companies. The pattern is unmistakable.
Many teams spend months on the wrong path before realizing that the data tells a different story than your gut. Once they make the switch, everything changes.
The AI Angle
Any discussion of AI regulation in 2026 has to include AI. As someone who's invested in Anthropic, OpenAI, Scale AI, and Hugging Face, I have a front-row seat to how AI is transforming this space.
The short version: AI makes good practitioners better and bad practitioners worse. It's an amplifier, not a replacement.
Some teams use AI to get far more out of AI regulation. Others spend heavily on AI that solves the wrong problem. The difference comes down to understanding what you're actually trying to achieve.
This connects to broader themes around AI alignment, responsible AI, ai-ethics|AI bias that I've been thinking about a lot lately.
Wrapping Up
I've shared a lot here, and I know it can feel overwhelming. But you don't need to get AI regulation right on day one. You just need to get started and keep improving.
Founders who do well at AI regulation tend to share one trait: they're relentlessly practical. They don't chase perfection. They chase progress.
That's the mindset I'd encourage you to adopt. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. And keep pushing forward.
As always, I'm rooting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How has this view evolved over time?
My thinking on most topics has changed significantly over the years. Early in my career, I held many conventional views that experience proved wrong. I try to update my beliefs when the evidence changes.
Q:What's the most common pushback you get on this?
People often push back by citing exceptions or edge cases. And they're usually right that exceptions exist. But building a strategy around exceptions rather than patterns is a losing game for most founders.
Q:How can I apply this thinking to my own situation?
Start by identifying the core principle behind the opinion, not the specific example. Then ask yourself: does this principle apply to my context? If yes, test it in a small, low-risk way before going all in.
Q:Do all experts agree with this view?
No, and that's fine. The best ideas in business are often contrarian. I share my perspective based on my experience and data, but I encourage you to seek out opposing viewpoints and form your own conclusions.