European Commission Warns Microsoft Over AI Risks

The European Commission has issued a stern warning to Microsoft, urging the tech giant to provide detailed information on the potential risks associated with generative AI features in its Bing search engine by May 27. The Commission's concerns primarily revolve around the proliferation of deep fakes and automated manipulation, which have the potential to mislead voters. This warning comes as a response to Microsoft's lack of cooperation following an initial information request sent on March 14.

If Microsoft fails to meet the specified deadline, it could face significant financial penalties. These penalties include fines of up to 1% of Bing's total annual income, along with additional penalties of up to 5% of its average daily income for continued non-compliance. Furthermore, Microsoft may also be penalized for providing inaccurate or deceptive information to the Commission.

Under the European Union's Digital Services Act, technology companies are mandated to implement stronger measures to combat illegal and harmful content on their platforms. Generative AI technology has been singled out as a major threat to the integrity of electoral processes, especially with the upcoming European Parliament elections scheduled for June.

The European Commission's warning to Microsoft underscores the growing concerns surrounding the misuse of generative AI in online platforms. As technology continues to advance, regulatory bodies are increasingly vigilant in ensuring that companies uphold ethical standards and safeguard democratic processes from potential manipulation.