The European Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into Google for using online content in AI search results without adequate compensation for publishers.

The European Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into Google, focused on the use of online content for search results generated by artificial intelligence (AI) and on the videos on YouTube used for training AI models. Authorities will assess whether Google violates European regulations by not adequately compensating publishers and by lacking the option to refuse the use of their content without losing access to Google Search. Publishers have expressed concerns that AI-generated summaries affect traffic to their sites, as Google prioritizes these summaries to the detriment of direct links.

The Commission will also investigate whether Google uses YouTube videos to train AI models without compensating content creators. If violations of EU legislation are found, Google could face significant fines. The Commission emphasizes the importance of media diversity and access to information, stating that AI innovations must not compromise these fundamental principles.