By Mauro Orru


The European Union is looking into whether the bloc could launch a review of Microsoft's investment in ChatGPT maker OpenAI under its merger regulations, a month after the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority launched a probe into whether their partnership could have an impact on competition.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, made the disclosure on Tuesday as it sought input from interested parties on the level of competition in virtual worlds and generative artificial intelligence, and feedback on what competition law can do to keep these new markets competitive.

"The European Commission is checking whether Microsoft's investment in OpenAI might be reviewable under the EU Merger Regulation," the commission said.

OpenAI started gaining traction in late 2022 after the release of its ChatGPT chatbot. Microsoft entered the picture as a major partner for OpenAI, agreeing to invest $13 billion in the company in exchange for what is essentially a 49% stake in the earnings of its for-profit arm.

Neither Microsoft nor OpenAI immediately responded to a request for comment.


Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-09-24 0753ET