It's true that Mistral AI raising 21 billion euros is a huge deal, but it doesn't automatically mean the EU AI Act framework is perfectly viable for everyone.
If we looked at this with fresh eyes, would we really say that one big investment proves the entire regulatory structure is sound?
Often, a company's success is more about its unique product or market timing, not just the regulatory environment.
Here in Portugal, a good business plan and a strong team are often bigger drivers for investment than any specific law.
We need to ask if we'd still connect Mistral's fundraising so strongly to the AI Act's viability if we hadn't already sunk time into that idea, especially when smaller players might face completely different compliance burdens.