UK Watchdog to Examine Microsoft’s Partnership with OpenAI, Investigating Possible Merger Impact on AI Market
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is checking if Microsoft’s collaboration with OpenAI, in which Microsoft owns 49%, might be like a merger.
They want to see if this affects the AI market. Recently, OpenAI faced turmoil when its boss, Sam Altman, was fired and then rehired after Microsoft offered him a job.
This raised questions about the partnership’s impact on AI development and competition. The CMA is asking for comments and may investigate further.
Microsoft claims the partnership boosts AI innovation. It will cooperate with the CMA but has added a non-voting observer to OpenAI’s board.
This observer can access confidential information but can’t vote on key matters. Microsoft denies the recent OpenAI issues were about AI safety.
They insist there’s no imminent risk of AI surpassing human capabilities.
The CMA is looking into whether this partnership gives Microsoft too much control and if it affects competition in the UK.
(Source: BBC)
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67657895