EU opens investigation into Google's use of online content for AI models

Core Viewpoint - The European Union has initiated an investigation into Google to determine if it is violating competition rules by using online content from web publishers and YouTube for its artificial intelligence services, potentially disadvantaging rival AI developers [1][2]. Group 1: Investigation Focus - The investigation will assess whether Google is distorting competition by imposing unfair terms on publishers and content creators or by granting itself privileged access to content, disadvantaging competitors in the AI space [2]. - Concerns have been raised that Google may have utilized content from web publishers to create AI-powered services in search results without compensating publishers or allowing them to refuse the use of their content [3]. - The commission is also investigating whether Google has used YouTube content to train its generative AI models without compensating creators or providing them the option to refuse [3]. Group 2: Content Creator Obligations - Content creators on YouTube are required to grant Google permission to use their data for various purposes, including training generative AI models [4]. - Google does not compensate YouTube content creators for their content and mandates that they allow Google to use their data, which restricts rival AI developers from using YouTube content for their own AI training [5]. Group 3: Industry Context - Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, has acknowledged that AI models are "prone to errors" and advised users to utilize them alongside other tools [6]. - Pichai also indicated that no company would be immune if the AI bubble were to burst, highlighting the potential risks within the AI industry [7].