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Senators Urge FTC to Investigate AI Summaries for Antitrust Violations

Eight Democratic senators claim AI-generated summaries by big tech platforms harm journalism and content creators by diverting traffic and ad revenue.

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 21: U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaks on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from August 19-22. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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A group of senators has asked the FTC to investigate whether AI summaries introduced by Google and other companies are anticompetitive. © NurPhoto/Getty Images

Overview

  • Lawmakers argue that AI features on platforms like Google and Meta unfairly lift content from original sources, reducing traffic to publishers' websites.
  • The letter to the FTC highlights that AI summaries keep users on the search platform, allowing the platform to profit from advertising and data collection.
  • Senators assert that the practice forces content creators to compete with AI-generated versions of their own work, leading to diminished revenue.
  • The inquiry is part of a broader concern over big tech's dominance, with Google already facing multiple antitrust trials for monopolistic practices.
  • Previous legislative efforts have targeted unauthorized AI use, and the current push may lead to new laws protecting content creators from AI-driven market distortions.