Microsoft has been urged by the European Commission to provide more information regarding the generative AI features of its search engine Bing. The request for information comes after Microsoft did not respond to earlier inquiries about specific risks related to features like Copilot in Bing and Image Creator by Designer. The EU executive suspects that Bing may have violated the Digital Services Act with its generative AI tools, which can lead to the spread of deepfakes and misinformation.
Microsoft has until 27 May to respond to the Commission’s request. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to 1% of the company’s total annual income or worldwide turnover, with additional penalties possible. Generative AI is one of the risks highlighted by the Commission in its guidelines on the integrity of electoral processes, particularly with the upcoming European Parliament elections.
In addition to Microsoft, the Commission has also sent requests for information about the use of Gen AI tools to other tech giants like Google, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Meanwhile, the Commission recently opened formal investigations into Meta’s Facebook and Instagram regarding their measures to protect minors online.
Overall, the EU is taking steps to ensure that online platforms comply with regulations to prevent the spread of misinformation and protect the integrity of electoral processes. It remains to be seen how Microsoft and other tech companies will respond to the Commission’s inquiries and what actions will be taken to address the concerns raised.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to the Above News
What is the European Commission requesting from Microsoft regarding Bing's generative AI features?
The European Commission is requesting more information from Microsoft regarding the generative AI features of its search engine Bing, particularly features like Copilot and Image Creator by Designer.
What are the potential consequences for Microsoft if they fail to respond to the Commission's request for information?
Failure to respond to the Commission's request could result in fines of up to 1% of the company's total annual income or worldwide turnover, with additional penalties possible.
Why is the European Commission concerned about Bing's generative AI tools?
The Commission is concerned that Bing's generative AI tools may violate the Digital Services Act and could lead to the spread of deepfakes and misinformation, particularly with the upcoming European Parliament elections.
Which other tech companies have received requests for information about their use of generative AI tools?
In addition to Microsoft, other tech giants like Google, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and X have also received requests for information from the European Commission regarding their use of generative AI tools.
What steps is the EU taking to ensure online platforms comply with regulations to prevent the spread of misinformation?
The EU is taking steps to ensure online platforms comply with regulations to prevent the spread of misinformation and protect the integrity of electoral processes, including opening formal investigations into companies like Meta's Facebook and Instagram regarding their measures to protect minors online.
Please note that the FAQs provided on this page are based on the news article published. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to consult relevant authorities or professionals before making any decisions or taking action based on the FAQs or the news article.
