The European Commission (EC) has opened an antitrust investigation into Google over its use of online content for artificial intelligence (AI) purposes.

It will assess whether the tech giant has breached the European Union (EU) competition laws by using content from web publishers and online video-sharing platform, YouTube, to train its AI tools.

The probe will examine if Google is distorting competition by imposing unfair terms and conditions on publishers and content creators, or by granting itself privileged access to such content. This in turn, could mean it is placing developers of rival AI platforms at a disadvantage.

The commission is looking into concerns the Alphabet-owned firm may have used content of web publishers to provide summaries through its AI-powered services – AI Overviews and AI Mode – on its search results pages without compensating publishers appropriately or without offering them the option to refuse such use of their content.

Another issue it will investigate is whether creators were offered compensation or the option to refuse use of their videos or other content uploaded on YouTube to train Google’s generative AI tools.

According to the commission, content creators uploading videos on the platform have an obligation to grant Google permission to use their data for different purposes, including training generative AI models, for which it offers no remuneration. 

However, at the same time, rival developers are barred from using YouTube content to train their AI models.

Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, for the EC, said: “A free and democratic society depends on diverse media, open access to information, and a vibrant creative landscape. These values are central to who we are as Europeans. 

“AI is bringing remarkable innovation and many benefits for people and businesses across Europe, but this progress cannot come at the expense of the principles at the heart of our societies. 

“This is why we are investigating whether Google may have imposed unfair terms and conditions on publishers and content creators, while placing rival AI models developers at a disadvantage, in breach of EU competition rules.”

Google and the competition watchdog have been informed that a case has been opened. Under EU law, there is no legal deadline for bringing an antitrust investigation to an end, and the duration will vary depending on the complexity of the case.