European Union regulators have intensified their examination of major tech companies, including Google, Facebook, and TikTok, regarding the risks associated with generative artificial intelligence, such as the proliferation of deepfakes. The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, has issued inquiries to eight platforms and search engines, including Microsoft's Bing, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), to understand how they are addressing the challenges posed by generative AI.
The 27-nation bloc is leveraging its enhanced regulatory authority under the Digital Services Act, a comprehensive set of regulations implemented last year to enhance oversight of large online platforms and ensure user safety, backed by substantial fines for non-compliance. While awaiting the enforcement of the groundbreaking AI Act, the EU is utilizing existing regulations to govern AI practices until the new rulebook for the technology comes into effect next year.
