Creative Commons, the nonprofit known for its open licensing framework, has issued a tentative endorsement of “pay‑to‑crawl” technology that would charge AI bots for accessing website content. While the organization acknowledges the potential benefits for publishers facing reduced traffic from AI‑driven answers, it also warns that such systems could concentrate power and limit access for public‑interest actors. CC outlines a set of principles for responsible implementation, urging openness, throttling options, and safeguards for research and education. The stance reflects a balanced view of protecting content creators while navigating the evolving AI landscape. Read more →

The European Commission has launched an antitrust probe into Google’s AI‑driven search tools, focusing on its AI Overviews and AI Mode. Regulators will examine whether Google uses website and YouTube content to generate AI answers without compensating publishers, and whether it imposes unfair terms that limit competitors’ access to that data. The investigation aims to assess potential harms to competition in the AI market and to determine if Google’s practices restrict rival AI firms from using the same content. Google has defended its approach, saying it will work with news and creative industries as AI evolves. Read more →