July 3, 2024
Europe Regulates as U.S. Supreme Court Punts on Social Media
Regulation is impacting the digital landscape. The European Commission has determined Meta’s “pay or consent” advertising model violates digital market regulations. The model requires paying for an ad-free version or consenting to personalized ads, sidestepping Europe’s Digital Market Act. The Commission is also investigating Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI and Google’s deal with Samsung for potential antitrust violations by stifling AI competition.
In the U.S., the Supreme Court ruled that the Biden Administration had not improperly coerced social media platforms to suppress conservative views. The high court ruled that states did not have legal standing to sue the administration over communications with tech companies. Separately, efforts by Texas and Florida to restrict social media use for minors were put on hold by the Court, sending cases back to lower courts.
Elections Magnify Media Trust Problem
With large numbers of Americans concerned news organizations will misreport the 2024 elections, earning trust is front and center. PR pros can prepare for misinformation by monitoring for falsehoods, understanding communities, and identifying AI-generated content. The Institute for Public Relations released a report on managing election disinformation in the workplace specifically, analyzing its impact on business.
As journalists face the fallout from a fractured news industry, the implications for trust are substantial. Declines in ad revenue and the ascendance of digital media have pushed publishers to cut costs and prioritize sensational content. The emergence of AI and financial restructuring have jeopardized journalism as a vocation and diminished public trust in news outlets.
OpenAI Strikes Deals and Blocks Access
More news organizations are partnering with OpenAI to harness ChatGPT’s large language capabilities. Similar to recent agreements, OpenAI will gain access to train on TIME’s extensive archives in a new partnership with the 101-year-old magazine. The nonprofit that produces Mother Jones, The Center for Investigative Reporting, is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for training AI products on its content.
In addition to content deals, OpenAI is making headlines in governance and global affairs. Following its recent partnership announcement, Apple’s chief app executive will join OpenAI’s nonprofit board. The AI organization has begun to clamp down on access—beginning this month, OpenAI will begin blocking API availability for users in unsupported regions.
Sequence Summaries: Regulatory Rulings, Trust Troubles, and AI Alliances
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