EU demands clarity from Microsoft on Bing’s generative AI risks

WEB DESK: The European Commission may impose fines on Microsoft if the company fails to provide sufficient information about the risks associated with generative AI features in its Bing search engine by May 27.

This action stems from concerns about the potential for deep fakes and automated manipulation to mislead voters.

In a statement released on Friday, the Commission emphasised the urgency of addressing these risks, particularly in light of the upcoming European Parliament elections in June.

The Commission noted that it had previously requested information from Microsoft on March 14 but had not yet received a satisfactory response.

Should Microsoft miss the deadline, the Commission could levy a fine of up to 1 per cent of Bing’s total annual revenue, with additional periodic penalties of up to 5 per cent of its average daily revenue. Furthermore, fines could also be imposed if the company provides inaccurate or misleading information.

This enforcement action is part of a broader effort under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which came into effect last year. The Act mandates that tech companies take greater responsibility for combating illegal and harmful content on their platforms.

Generative AI has been identified by the Commission as a significant risk to the integrity of electoral processes, necessitating strict oversight to prevent its misuse in the political sphere.

Read next: Apple to start iPhone 16 display production next month