UK investigates Microsoft over AI hiring concerns

British regulators have launched a preliminary investigation into Microsoft’s recent hiring spree from AI startup Inflection AI and its entry into associated arrangements with Inflection AI, due to concerns that this could hinder competition in the burgeoning AI market. Mustafa Suleyman, Inflection AI’s co-founder and CEO, along with several top engineers and researchers, joined Microsoft earlier this year. Suleyman, a co-founder of the AI research lab DeepMind, is a prominent figure in the AI industry.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is scrutinising whether these hirings might lead to a significant reduction in competition within the UK’s AI sector, potentially breaching antitrust regulations. Microsoft, however, maintains that the recruitment of talent fosters competition and should not be regarded as a merger. The company has pledged to cooperate with the CMA’s inquiry.

The CMA has a deadline of 11 September to decide whether to approve the hirings or escalate the investigation. The authority has the power to reverse deals or impose conditions to address any competition concerns. This investigation highlights the growing regulatory scrutiny over how major tech companies are acquiring talent and technology from innovative AI startups.

Across the Atlantic, US senators have urged antitrust enforcers to investigate Amazon’s deal with AI startup Adept. The senators noted similarities to the Microsoft-Inflection case, emphasizing concerns over the potential elimination of major competitors in the AI market. These developments reflect a broader regulatory focus on maintaining competitive balance in the rapidly evolving AI industry.