ChatGPT to face tougher regulation in the EU? The fate of 'very large' AI

Imagine this: You ask your AI a question on your smartphone, just as you always do. But one day, the AI changes how it responds, or becomes much more cautious than before in providing specific information. What if it’s because the AI we use every day now has to follow strict management regulations, like a librarian in a massive library? The recent changes unfolding in the European Union are heralding exactly this scenario.

The European Union has recently designated OpenAI’s ChatGPT, along with Reddit and Roblox, as ‘very large’ digital services (Source Title). This doesn’t just mean they are famous; it means they have been brought under the strong safety umbrella of Europe’s ‘Digital Services Act (DSA)’ (Source Title).

Why It Matters

Just as we expect portal sites and social media to filter out illegal information and maintain a safe space when we use the internet, AI is now being evaluated by the same standards (Source Title). While AI has enjoyed a somewhat free environment under the guise of being ‘new technology,’ it must now bear legal responsibility as a ‘large platform’ with massive influence over society as a whole (Source Title).

This change can have positive effects for ordinary users like us. We can communicate with AI in a safer content environment and be better protected from illegal or dangerous information. Conversely, it will mean significant management and legal compliance costs for tech companies, but ultimately, it can be seen as part of the process of AI technology taking root more stably in human society.

The Explainer

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is, simply put, a ‘traffic law for giant online platforms.’ Just as the rules for riding a bicycle around the neighborhood differ from those for operating a massive cruise ship carrying thousands of people, the logic is that the safety rules for small, low-traffic sites should differ from those for massive platforms used by hundreds of millions (Source Title).

The European Union has classified ChatGPT not as a simple chatbot, but as a ‘Very Large Online Search Engine’ (Source Title). They have recognized that AI is no longer just a tool for conversation, but has become a source of information when we look for answers, much like search engines such as Google.

Metaphorically, if AI was previously a ‘free speaker’ sharing information at will, it is now being asked to play the role of an ‘official librarian’ who must choose and deliver only trustworthy information in the library. The obligation to filter out illegal content and block harmful information has become much heavier (Source Title).

It’s like applying strict environmental safety standards to a massive factory. When a factory is small, moderate management might not cause major issues, but now that the factory has grown so large that its impact on the surrounding environment and society is profound, it is being asked to implement a much tighter safety net.

Where We Stand

Currently, OpenAI and the other affected platforms must begin preparations to meet the new safety standards set by the European Union by the end of December 2026 (Source Title). This designation is also an important testbed for how artificial intelligence technology can be applied within existing digital regulatory frameworks (Source Title).

Of course, opinions are divided on whether these regulations will slow down the pace of AI innovation or instead lead to safer innovation. However, one thing is certain: an era has arrived where AI companies must prioritize ‘digital safety’ just as much as technology development (Source Title). If they do not comply with the regulations and are negligent in managing illegal content, they could potentially face significant fines (Source Title).

What’s Next

This regulation is only the beginning. It is highly likely that the European Union will apply similar standards to other AI services in the future (Source Title). Technology is evolving rapidly, but the legal framework is following close behind—slowly, perhaps, but firmly—to ensure its safety.

Users will be watching to see if AI provides more reliable and safer answers. AI companies are at a point where they must contemplate how to improve internal algorithms to fulfill their social responsibilities while simultaneously increasing technical performance. The AI of the future will move in the direction of becoming ‘smartly safer’ just as much as it becomes smarter.

AI Opinion

Regulation can sometimes feel like a wall blocking innovation. However, great power comes with corresponding responsibility. This decision by the EU proves that AI has become deeply embedded in our daily lives. Future technological competition will move beyond ‘who is smarter’ to ‘who builds the most solid social trust.’

References

1. [ChatGPT to face tougher regulation in the EU

   The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/986682/openai-chatgpt-eu-dsa)

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