AI and Liability

A German court has ruled that Google is liable for summaries generated by its AI search function, rejecting the company's arguments that users should verify information themselves. The court considered the AI summaries to be a reflection of Google's business activities. This ruling is part of a long-standing debate over internet publishing and the distinction between carriers and publishers. Historically, carriers, such as phone companies, have been treated differently than publishers, with different levels of liability for the information they transmit. The court's decision suggests that Google's AI-generated content may be viewed as publishing rather than simply transmitting information. This distinction has implications for internet companies and their potential liability for AI-generat