Microsoft has relinquished its seat on the board of OpenAI, saying its participation is no longer needed because the ChatGPT maker has improved its governance since being roiled by boardroom chaos last year. In a Tuesday letter, Microsoft confirmed it was resigning, "effective immediately," from its role as an observer on the artificial intelligence company's board. "We appreciate the support shown by OpenAI leadership and the OpenAI board as we made this decision," the letter said. The surprise departure comes amid intensifying scrutiny from antitrust regulators of the powerful AI partnership. Microsoft has reportedly invested 13 billion in OpenAI.

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Germany's antitrust watchdog paved the way Wednesday for extra scrutiny of Google by designating it a company of "paramount significance," the first to get that label since regulators got more power to curb abusive practices by big digital companies. The Bundeskartellamt said its decision comes after rules were introduced last year that allow it "to intervene earlier and more effectively" to ban companies from using anti-competitive practices. The regulator's decision, which lasts five years, gives it extended powers to supervise Google for "abuse control."