The European Commission has initiated a formal investigation into Google’s artificial intelligence systems, marking a significant escalation in regulatory scrutiny of AI development practices. The probe centers on whether the tech giant improperly utilized content from websites and YouTube videos to train its AI models without providing adequate compensation or opt-out mechanisms to content creators.
The investigation will specifically examine Google’s AI Overview feature, which displays AI-generated summaries above traditional search results, and its conversational AI Mode that provides ChatGPT-style responses. Regulators expressed concern that these innovations may be diverting traffic from original content sources, potentially devastating publishers who rely on advertising revenue. The Daily Mail reported a 50% decline in click-through rates since the implementation of AI Overviews.
Commission executive vice-president Teresa Ribera emphasized that while AI brings ‘remarkable innovation’ and benefits, its development must not compromise European values or creative ecosystems. ‘A free and democratic society depends on diverse media, open access to information, and a vibrant creative landscape,’ she stated.
Google responded that the investigation ‘risks stifling innovation in a market that is more competitive than ever,’ adding that Europeans deserve access to cutting-edge technologies. The company pledged continued collaboration with news and creative industries during the AI transition.
AI ethics advocates welcomed the probe. Ed Newton-Rex of Fairly Trained noted that content creators face ‘career suicide’ if they avoid publishing online, yet Google essentially requires them to permit their work to train competing AI systems. He called the investigation ‘critically timed’ for global creators.
The outcome could have far-reaching implications for how tech companies train AI models using publicly available content, potentially establishing new precedents for compensation and consent in the digital era.