The US government is set to launch an investigation into the generative AI industry, specifically targeting OpenAI, Nvidia, and Microsoft. The Justice Department will focus on Nvidia’s role in semiconductor design, while the FTC will scrutinize OpenAI and Microsoft’s practices.
The race to dominate the AI landscape has intensified since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. Companies are pouring resources into servers and processors to train large language models (LLMs) that can respond to everyday language requests. Only a few tech giants have the financial might to become significant players in generative AI, with OpenAI leading the way as the first company to offer ChatGPT. Microsoft quickly followed suit by partnering with OpenAI to deploy this technology in consumer products.
Nvidia is another key player in this industry, with its GPUs highly sought after for developing LLMs. In January 2023, the FTC announced an investigation into substantial investments made by Microsoft, Google, and Amazon in generative AI startups such as OpenAI and Anthropic. These investigations aim to shed light on potential antitrust practices that may be impacting competition within the tech industry.
Despite being contacted by AFP, none of these companies or government agencies have yet provided any comments on the matter. However, it is clear that this investigation marks a significant milestone in regulating the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence.
