The EU Launches Antitrust Investigation into Google's AI
The EU's investigation will focus on two aspects: first, whether Google uses YouTube videos to train its generative AI models without adequately compensating the creators, and second, whether uploaders are not given the option to refuse the use of their content.
On Tuesday, December 9th, the EU announced the investigation into Google. The investigation will assess whether Google violates antitrust regulations by using content published online by media and other publishers to train and provide AI services without proper compensation.
The European Commission stated that the investigation will focus on whether this American tech giant distorts competition by imposing unfair terms on publishers and content creators or by providing itself with preferential access to this content.
Teresa Ribera, the EU's competition commissioner, said that a free and democratic society relies on diverse media, as well as open access to information and a vibrant creative environment.
She said that AI is bringing significant innovation and many benefits for people and businesses across Europe. However, progress should not come at the cost of sacrificing core social principles.
Are YouTube content creators fairly compensated?
The European Commission pointed out that the investigation will focus on two aspects: whether Google uses YouTube videos to train its generative AI models without adequately compensating the creators, and whether uploaders are not given the option to refuse the use of their content.
The European Commission stated that Google does not pay related compensation to YouTube content creators and does not allow creators to upload content to YouTube if they disagree with Google's use of their data.
At the same time, developers of competing AI models are prohibited from using YouTube content to train their own models due to YouTube's policies.
Is content from other websites used fairly?
The investigation will also examine whether Google obtains online content from other websites, such as newspaper websites, and uses it in its generative AI services without compensation or an opt-out option.
The European Commission stated that this issue particularly involves AI-generated summaries that pop up after users perform search queries, as well as the company's "AI mode." This mode is a search tag similar to a chatbot that can directly answer user questions.
Ribera stated that the EU is investigating whether Google imposes unfair terms on publishers and content creators, placing competitors' AI developers at a disadvantage, thereby violating EU competition rules.
The European Commission has not set a specific deadline for completing the investigation. The initiation of the investigation does not preassume any conclusions, but Google may face substantial fines.
Source: DW+AFP
Original: toutiao.com/article/1851044229699672/
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