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EU Launches Probe into Tech Giants' Use of Generative AI (GenAI)

Expressing concern over the potential abuse of Generative AI (GenAI) in the upcoming elections, the European Commission has issued a call for several major tech companies to provide information under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Among those the EU requested to provide relevant information were Microsoft Bing, Facebook, Google Search, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and Elon Musk's X.

The Commission is seeking clarification on measures taken to deal with risks associated with generative AI, including the broader disinformation and deep-reaching virals, dubbed "hallucinations" by requiring these platforms to provide the Commission with requested information by April 3rd.

“We ask the platforms, are they prepared for an 11-hour injection scenario before the election, where high-impact deepfake might be distributed on a large scale, and what are the preparations for such scenarios,” a Commission A official told reporters on a conference call Thursday.

Part of the commission’s goal is to gain insight into how companies are approaching deepfakes, but also information that AI-related risks could lead to fines or other penalties under the Digital Services Act, a technical regulation if necessary it shows social media and other major online platforms are making the rules.

Responses from industry could be included in the election security directives on technical measures that the European Commission plans to finalize by March 27, another Council official said.

AI research also covers broad topics including how platforms address the impact of generative AI on user privacy, intellectual property, civil rights, child safety, and mental health. Companies will have until April 26 to answer those questions.

The requested information submitted to X this week relates to an ongoing investigation into Elon Musk's social media company that began between the opening days of the Israeli-Hamas conflict last year, officials said.

“One of our complaints is the ability to modify the service through processes and this could include generative AI, so yes, there is a connection to the ongoing research,” a senior commission official said. X chief executive Linda Yaccarino met with Thierry Breton, the European Union’s chief digital regulator, at the end of February.

Conclusion: EU research on generative AI applications reveals an approach to addressing the ethical and social challenges posed by advanced AI technologies. By scrutinizing the practices of big technology companies, the EU aims to safeguard democratic values, protect consumers, and ensure an equitable and inclusive digital future.