• The EU has launched an antitrust investigation into Google's use of online content for AI.
• The probe focuses on Google's use of publishers' content and YouTube videos without proper compensation.
• Concerns highlight potential unfair competition practices by Google against publishers and rival AI developers.

The European Commission has announced an antitrust investigation into Google to determine if the tech giant has violated EU competition rules by utilizing online content from publishers and YouTube creators for its artificial intelligence services without adequate compensation. The Commission aims to assess whether Google imposed unfair terms on these creators or granted itself privileged access to their content, thereby potentially disadvantaging competitors in the AI sector, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

The investigation will look into two primary concerns: the use of content from websites and the exploitation of YouTube videos. Specifically, it will explore if Google generated AI-powered summaries or services based on publishers' content without compensation or a method for creators to opt-out. Additionally, the inquiry will examine whether Google trained its AI models using YouTube videos without fairly compensating the content creators, as detailed by India Times and Le Monde.

The EU's competition chief, Teresa Ribera, emphasized the importance of a vibrant media landscape stating, "A healthy information ecosystem depends on publishers having the resources to produce quality content," highlighting the need for equitable practices in the evolving AI sector. Conversely, Google has responded by rejecting the allegations, claiming the investigation could hinder innovation in a competitive market, a position that reflects the broader scrutiny Google faces regarding its market dominance, as reported by India Times and Reuters.