Italian news publishers demand investigation into Google’s AI Overviews

Italian news publishers have demanded an investigation into Google's AI Overviews, a feature that generates summaries of news articles. The publishers, represented by FIEG (the Italian federation of newspaper publishers), argue that this feature is a "traffic killer" that violates legislation and threatens the diversity of the media landscape. FIEG has filed a formal complaint with Agcom, Italy's communications watchdog, expressing concerns that the AI-generated summaries are diverting traffic away from the original news sources, which could lead to the destruction of media diversity. The publishers believe that this feature undermines their ability to monetize their content and ultimately threatens their survival. The news article highlights the ongoing tension between technology companies and traditional media outlets, as they grapple with the impact of digital platforms on the media industry. The Italian publishers' complaint reflects the wider debate surrounding the use of AI and its potential implications for the future of journalism and news distribution.