European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the plan on September 16, 2026, during her annual address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. She said the European Commission intends to invite major frontier AI laboratories, including OpenAI and Anthropic, to discuss ways of addressing the risks linked to advanced artificial intelligence.
The announcement comes as governments, technology companies and AI researchers continue to debate how rapidly developing AI systems should be tested, monitored and governed.
EU Seeks Dialogue With Leading AI Labs
The planned talks would bring European policymakers together with companies developing some of the most advanced AI models.According to Reuters, von der Leyen said the EU wants to work with frontier AI companies on measures aimed at mitigating risks associated with advanced systems. The discussion is part of a broader European effort to establish safeguards while continuing to support AI development and innovation.
The European Commission has already been engaging with AI companies on safety and security issues. Commission officials have also said the EU is closely monitoring developments involving advanced AI systems.
Why AI Safety Is Becoming a Bigger Issue
The latest move comes as attention increases around the ability of increasingly capable AI systems to operate with greater levels of autonomy.Recent developments involving AI agents have raised questions about how these systems interact with websites, software platforms and external systems. These developments have added to wider discussions about how advanced AI systems should be tested, monitored and controlled.
At the same time, major AI companies are working on ways to manage risks as model capabilities continue to advance. OpenAI, Anthropic and other leading AI developers have been involved in discussions surrounding AI safety and responsible development.
Europe Is Expanding Its AI Oversight
The planned talks come as the European Union continues implementing its AI regulatory framework.European Commission officials have said the EU's AI rules include obligations related to safety and risk management. The Commission is also monitoring incidents involving advanced AI systems and communicating with companies when necessary.
This means the discussions with OpenAI and Anthropic are part of a wider regulatory and technical effort rather than a single isolated initiative.
What Happens Next
The timing and format of the proposed discussions with OpenAI, Anthropic and other frontier AI companies have not yet been fully detailed.The talks could provide another forum for policymakers and AI developers to discuss testing, risk assessment and safeguards as AI capabilities continue to evolve.
For the global AI industry, the development highlights how AI safety is becoming an increasingly important part of discussions between governments and the companies building advanced AI systems.
Source: Reuters, European Commission
Published: September 16, 2026