US launches inquiry into AI deals by Microsoft, OpenAI, Google and Amazon

The United States trade regulator launched an inquiry on Thursday into generative artificial intelligence investments and partnerships. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said in a statement that it issued orders to five companies requiring them to provide information on the matter. The companies were Google's parent company Alphabet, Amazon, Anthropic, Microsoft, and ChatGPT maker OpenAI, the agency's statement said. The inquiry will focus on what authority and rights the tech giants' investments in the fledgling AI companies have conferred and whether those deals harm competition. "Our study will shed light on whether investments and partnerships pursued by dominant companies risk distorting innovation and undermining fair competition," FTC chair Lina Khan said in a statement.