British CMA Clears Microsoft With OpenAi’s Connection

Microsoft can breathe a sigh of relief, because at least one competition law deal has now been released into air. The British competitive authority CMA sees no signs that the Redmonders control the AI ​​developer Openai.

Influence yes, control no

After examining the business relationships between the two companies, the authority concluded that despite Microsoft’s loss of billion dollar investments in Openaai and the exclusive use of some AI technologies, there is no change in influence that would be a fusion subject to test in the sense of British competition law. The investigation was initiated in December 2023 after Microsoft had exerted pressure on Openai to re -use Sam Altman as CEO after his short -term discharge.

The CMA considered it possible that Microsoft could have gained more control over Openai’s business policy. On Wednesday, however, the authority found that Microsoft has a significant influence on Openai, but does not have comprehensive control. Therefore, the partnership does not fall under the British fusion control regulations, divided the CMA with.

Critics see a consequence of the changed political climate in the decision. The British government has instructed the supervisory authorities to promote economic growth and investments. In January, the previous chairman of the CMA, Marcus Bokkerink, was released and replaced by the former Amazon UK boss Doug Gurr.

Criticism of CMA

The digital civil rights organization Foxglove criticized that the CMA had delayed the decision and suddenly no longer see any problems. “This is a bad sign that Big Tech has successfully put pressure on the government to weaken regulations,” Foxglove-Co director Rosa Curling told the BBC. The CMA, on the other hand, defended the duration of the investigation with the constant changes in the relationship between Microsoft and Openaai. Already under Bokkerink, the authority had examined several AI partnerships, including Microsoft, Amazon and Google, and decided that they did not fall under the law.