OpenAI’s ChatGPT developer, led by Sam Altman, under scrutiny by European Union for Microsoft investment
The European Union’s competition regulator announced on Tuesday that it is examining Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, to determine if it requires further investigation according to the merger rules of the bloc. The European Commission stated that it is currently assessing whether Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI falls under the reviewable scope of the EU Merger Regulation.
The move is part of Brussels’ efforts to ensure its oversight can catch up with the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence and prevent big players from shutting out their rivals.
EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager, who is meeting with California’s top tech leaders this week, said “it is essential that these new markets remain competitive”.
“We’re asking companies and experts to tell us about any competition issues they might see in these areas, while we closely monitor AI partnerships to ensure they don’t unnecessarily distort market dynamics,” he said.
Along with meetings with Apple boss Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Vestager also plans to speak with two of OpenAI’s top executives.
The launch of the ChatGPT chatbot in November 2023 – becoming the fastest app at the time – marked the popular arrival of the AI revolution.
Last year, Microsoft pledged to invest $13 billion in OpenAI and got a seat on the board after a failed coup against CEO Sam Altman.
Britain’s competition watchdog said last month it was also investigating whether Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI resembles a merger.
