The European Commission has initiated a formal antitrust investigation into Google’s use of online content in its AI-powered search results and the utilization of YouTube videos for training its artificial intelligence models. The investigation aims to determine whether Google is violating EU competition rules by potentially failing to fairly compensate publishers or provide them with adequate control over the use of their content in AI-generated summaries.
The Commission will assess whether Google’s practices disadvantage publishers by displaying AI-generated summaries of their content instead of directly linking to their websites. This approach has drawn criticism, as it can significantly reduce traffic to publishers’ sites, impacting their advertising revenue. Many publishers rely on Google Search to drive user traffic and are hesitant to risk losing that access.
Furthermore, the investigation will examine Google’s use of YouTube videos to train its generative AI models. The Commission seeks to determine if content creators are being fairly compensated or given the option to opt out of having their videos used for AI training purposes. The EU’s competition watchdog will also investigate potential practices that might prevent rival AI model developers from accessing YouTube content for training their own models.
If the investigation confirms a violation of EU law, the Commission has the authority to impose a substantial financial penalty on Google. The probe highlights growing concerns about the impact of AI on the media landscape and the need to ensure fair compensation and control for content creators.
European Commission Vice-President, Teresa Ribera, stated that a free and democratic society relies on a diverse media landscape, open access to information, and a vibrant creative environment. She emphasized that while AI offers significant innovations and benefits, its progress should not come at the expense of fundamental societal principles. The investigation underscores the EU’s commitment to safeguarding these values in the face of rapid technological advancements.
