EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands — The European Union’s rules on artificial intelligence are driving tech workers and companies to Silicon Valley, a top executive from the Dutch chipmaking giant ASML has said.

“Why is it so difficult to get AI done in Europe? Simply because we started with regulating, to keep AI under the thumb,” ASML’s Chief Financial Officer Roger Dassen told an event in Eindhoven on Monday evening.

“Someone who has a talent for artificial intelligence, the first thing they do with their hard-earned money … is buying a ticket to Silicon Valley,” Dassen said.

The comments — made during a campaign event for Dutch center-right party Christian Democratic Appeal ahead of national elections Oct. 29 — are another shot across the bow of the EU’s embattled artificial intelligence law.

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With friends who work in AI, I can tell you not all are motivated by money alone, some of them actually do want the scary potential (aka Flock, etc) regulated and are working from Europe.