CNBC The UK’s competition watchdog CMA has reportedly opened an investigation into Microsoft’s investment in artificial intelligence company OpenAI, which is behind the chatbot ChatGPT AI.
This will be the first investigation into Microsoft’s $10 billion investment in what is often referred to as the world’s most important technology company, where AI development actually began last year.
The investigation will initially gather relevant viewpoints from various parties to determine whether the investment has led to a quote where OpenAI practically becomes part of Microsoft, CNBC reported.
“The call for comments is the first part of the panel’s information gathering process, and is conducted before the first phase is achieved, which will only take place after the panel has received the necessary information from the parties,” commented Sorcha O’Carroll. , Head of Mergers at the UK Competition Authority.
Just cooperation
For his part, Microsoft President and Vice President Brad Smith points out that Google bought the British artificial intelligence laboratory DeepMind in 2014, and that Microsoft’s cooperation with OpenAI is something completely different.
“Since 2019, we have created a partnership with OpenAI that has fostered greater innovation and competition in AI, while maintaining the independence of both companies,” Smith reportedly said, according to CNBC.
“The only thing that has changed is that Microsoft will now have a non-voting observer on the OpenAI board, which is very different from an acquisition such as Google’s purchase of DeepMind in the UK. We will work closely with the inspectorate to provide all the information required.”
The UK Competition Authority will also assess the risks and opportunities presented by AI tools, such as competition and consumer rights infringements.
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