UK competition watchdog steps up scrutiny of big tech’s role in AI startups


by The Guardian

The Guardian— Microsoft and Amazon asked to comment on tie-ups, a move that paves way for formal investigationThe UK competition watchdog has stepped up its scrutiny of big tech involvement in artificial intelligence startups, asking for comment on three deals by Microsoft and Amazon.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that it was examining Microsoft’s investment in the French firm Mistral and the hiring of the DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman as head of the US company’s new AI division....

Japan Today—Microsoft and Amazon face scrutiny from UK competition watchdog over recent AI deals. British competition regulators said Wednesday they'll scrutinize recent artificial intelligence deals by Microsoft and Amazon over concerns that the moves could thwart competition in the AI industry. The Competition and Markets Authority said it's looking into Microsoft's partnership with France's Mistral AI and the company's hiring of key staff from

Time Magazine—There’s an AI Lobbying Frenzy in Washington. Big Tech Is Dominating. Spending on lobbying to shape AI policy in Washington is soaring—and tech giants are leading the charge.

ETtech.com—Microsoft and Amazon's AI partnerships draw UK watchdog scrutiny. Britain's competition watchdog said on Wednesday it was seeking comments on the AI partnerships between Microsoft and Mistral AI, as well as between Amazon and Anthropic. The Competition and Markets Authority also said it wanted to hear the views of third parties on Microsoft's hiring of former employees of Inflection AI and related arrangements. Microsoft last month appointed DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman as the head of a newly created consumer AI unit and hired several employees of his...