After Google and Apple, artificial intelligence companies may be next on the Justice Department’s list

It’s hard not to notice that artificial intelligence currently dominates the world of technology. Almost every new flagship phone boasts some form of AI features. And with artificial intelligence developing so quickly, it’s no surprise that authorities are starting to pay more attention to it.

The Justice Department’s antitrust chief is warning artificial intelligence companies to deal fairly with artists

NBC News media reports that the Justice Department’s top antitrust watchdog has issued a stark warning to artificial intelligence technology companies, indicating they could face regulatory action if they fail to develop fair methods to compensate artists, entertainers and other creators.

At a Stanford University conference attended by artificial intelligence researchers, executives and government officials, Deputy Attorney General Jonathan Kanter warned:

If companies in the AI ecosystem violate antitrust laws, the antitrust division will have something to say about it.

The conference focused on the economic impact of generative artificial intelligence systems, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, and the potential application of antitrust laws. Among other areas of concern, Kanter highlighted creator pay:

What incentive will future writers, creators, journalists, thinkers and artists have if artificial intelligence can extract their ingenuity without adequate compensation? The people who create and produce these inputs must be compensated appropriately.

And it’s not just about Scarlett Johansson! Artificial intelligence companies like OpenAI and Microsoft are being hit with lawsuits left and right. The authors, The New York Times (and other news outlets) are being sued over the way they train their AI models – essentially by using creative works without permission. Hollywood and the entire entertainment industry have also been fighting for artificial intelligence for a long time.

The Justice Department doesn’t say it will take immediate action, but Kanter said he is closely watching what’s happening in the artificial intelligence industry.

Kanter, appointed by President Biden, has taken a strong stance against anti-competitive practices, particularly in the technology industry. The Justice Department has already filed lawsuits against tech giants like Apple and Google.