EU Classifies OpenAI's ChatGPT as 'Very Large Online Search Engine' Under DSA
OpenAI's ChatGPT, a leading AI chatbot, is set to be classified as a 'very large online search engine' (VLOSE) under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). This move, which could significantly impact the company, comes amidst a brewing transatlantic dispute over the DSA's implications for U.S. tech giants.
The DSA, due to come into effect later this year, aims to regulate large online platforms and search engines. OpenAI's ChatGPT, with its growing user base, is likely to fall under this category, imposing extensive obligations and potential penalties. The EU AI Act, which targets AI models themselves, runs parallel to these regulations, further expanding the scope of compliance for AI providers like OpenAI.
The U.S. government has expressed strong opposition to the DSA, viewing it as censorship and a burden on American companies. The Trump administration has gone as far as threatening sanctions against the EU over the act. The U.S. government accuses the EU of pursuing unwarranted restrictions on free speech through the DSA, a claim the EU Commission dismisses as 'wholly unfounded'. Possible sanctions could take the form of visa restrictions, affecting EU officials and member states responsible for implementing the DSA.
The classification of OpenAI's ChatGPT as a VLOSE under the DSA is likely to bring significant changes and challenges for the company. Meanwhile, the transatlantic dispute over the DSA continues, with the U.S. government considering sanctions against the EU. The EU Commission maintains that the DSA is necessary to protect users' rights and ensure fair competition online.
