EU Regulators Scrutinize Tech Giants Over AI Risks
The European Commission has intensified its examination of major technology corporations, including Google, Facebook, and TikTok, by issuing inquiries regarding their strategies to mitigate the risks associated with generative artificial intelligence (AI), notably the rapid dissemination of deepfakes. This action represents a broader effort to utilize the Digital Services Act (DSA), comprehensive legislation enacted last year aimed at sanitizing online platforms and safeguarding users, with the threat of substantial fines looming for non-compliance. The EU is leveraging both the DSA and other existing regulations to manage AI’s implications until the AI Act, heralded as the first extensive set of AI regulations globally, becomes operational next year, with specific provisions on generative AI expected to be enforced.
Among the concerns raised by the European Commission are the potential for AI systems to generate misleading information, referred to as “hallucinations,” and the automated manipulation of services to deceive voters. The commission’s inquiries extend to the creation and propagation of generative AI content, seeking internal documentation on how these companies have assessed and addressed risks impacting various societal aspects, including electoral processes, the spread of illegal content, gender-based violence, and the protection of minors.
The scrutiny also extends to the readiness of these platforms in the face of AI-driven misinformation and disinformation, especially with the EU-wide elections on the horizon in early June. The commission has set deadlines for companies to respond regarding their electoral protections by April 5 and on other matters by April 26, with the possibility of a more thorough investigation to follow. Additionally, the commission has initiated formal proceedings against the Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress for potentially failing to shield consumers and minors from hazardous products and content, while also querying LinkedIn on its adherence to the DSA’s prohibition of ad targeting based on sensitive personal data.
The European Union’s proactive stance underscores a commitment to ensuring that technology companies implement robust measures to counter the risks associated with generative AI, maintaining a safe online environment for users. This initiative not only highlights the EU’s regulatory agility but also sets a precedent for global digital governance.
