The European Commission has declared generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, to be classified as a search engine. This decision is part of a broader move by the European Union to introduce the strictest regime of oversight for digital services, marking a new era in the regulation of technology platforms. Alongside the OpenAI chatbot, Reddit and Roblox have also been granted the status of the highest level of oversight.
This change was made in accordance with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which stipulates strict requirements for platforms with significant influence. According to the new rules, the three services in question must meet strict requirements within four months regarding risk assessment and mitigation. In addition to conducting independent audits, they are required to provide regulators and researchers with access to data, thereby ensuring greater transparency in their algorithmic systems.
The key factor in this classification was the threshold of 45 million average monthly users in the European Union. Although Reddit and Roblox have exceeded the threshold by several million, ChatGPT is significantly above this level, with 159 million active users of the search feature. This figure, although higher than the regulatory threshold, is only one of the elements that influenced the European Commission's decision.
The regulatory approach now treats generative AI systems as integrated parts of search engines, despite the fact that generated responses arise from complex processes, unlike the traditional ranking of documents. This change is significant as it blurs the traditional boundaries between search engines and generative AI systems, requiring strict regulation to ensure the protection of users and respect for fundamental rights.
The European Commission emphasizes the importance of risk assessment, including the protection of minors and the prevention of the spread of illegal content. In addition, platforms must ensure that their algorithms do not endanger user safety. This regulation is part of a broader trend in European regulation of digital platforms, which aims to ensure greater security and transparency in the digital space.
The Commission has stated that it will strictly monitor compliance with these rules, emphasizing that penalties will be applied to all platforms that fail to meet the prescribed standards. This decision is part of the European Union's broader effort to ensure the safety and protection of users in the digital space, while simultaneously promoting innovation and technological development.
