Consumer groups in Europe are urging authorities to protect consumers against the risks of generative AI, like ChatGPT.

On Tuesday, the European Consumer Organization (BEUC), representing consumer groups from 13 European countries, published a call to action, citing generative AI's ability to spread disinformation, entrench bias and discrimination, and create scams.

SEE ALSO:OpenAI sued for defamation after ChatGPT allegedly fabricated fake embezzlement claims

The BEUC's statement comes on the heels of the European Union's approval of the AI Act, which seeks to define and classify various forms of AI and their risks, so they can be regulated accordingly.

Mashable Light SpeedWant more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Thanks for signing up!

If passed, the EU AI Act would be the world's first collection of laws directly targeting AI. But the BEUC believes European consumers need protection from existing laws in the meantime.

"We call on safety, data and consumer protection authorities to start investigations now and not wait idly for all kinds of consumer harm to have happened before they take action," said Ursula Pachl, Deputy Director General of the BEUC. "These laws apply to all products and services, be they AI-powered or not and authorities must enforce them."

---

Related Stories

---

• Future iPhones might have an easily replaceable battery due to new EU law
• Google's ads business violates antitrust laws, should break up, EU says
• ChatGPT's app for iOS is now available in the UK and 10 more countries
• How generative AI will affect the creator economy
• Europe will force iPhones to adopt USB-C by the end of 2024

The announcement coincides with the publication of a report from BEUC member Forbrukerrådet, called Ghost in the Machine: Addressing the consumer harms of generative AI. The report outlines the harms generative AI could inflict on consumers including, concentration of Big Tech power, the creation and proliferation of deepfakes, bias in training data, privacy risks, job replacement from automation, and environmental impact.

The EU has been a global leader in enforcing digital protections for consumers and cultivating a business-friendly environment. In 2020, it passed the Digital Markets Act, aimed at tackling Big Tech gatekeeping and giving users more choice over the technologies they can use. Addressing the EU AI Act, Pachl said, "It's crucial that the EU makes this law as watertight as possible to protect consumers."

TopicsArtificial IntelligenceChatGPT