1. 標題：
FTC Launches Inquiry into Generative AI Investments and Partnerships
2. 來源： FTC.GOV
3. 網址： https://bit.ly/4b7OsUb
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/01/
ftc-launches-inquiry-generative-ai-investments-partnerships
4. 內文：
FTC Launches Inquiry into Generative AI Investments and Partnerships
Agency Issues 6(b) Orders to Alphabet, Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., Anthropic PBC,
Microsoft Corp., and OpenAI, Inc.
The Federal Trade Commission announced today that it issued orders to five
companies requiring them to provide information regarding recent investments
and partnerships involving generative AI companies and major cloud service
providers.
The agency’s 6(b) inquiry will scrutinize corporate partnerships and
investments with AI providers to build a better internal understanding of
these relationships and their impact on the competitive landscape. The
compulsory orders were sent to Alphabet, Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., Anthropic
PBC, Microsoft Corp., and OpenAI, Inc.
“History shows that new technologies can create new markets and healthy
competition. As companies race to develop and monetize AI, we must guard
against tactics that foreclose this opportunity, “said FTC Chair Lina M.
Khan. “Our study will shed light on whether investments and partnerships
pursued by dominant companies risk distorting innovation and undermining fair
competition."
The FTC issued its orders under Section 6(b) of the FTC Act, which authorizes
the Commission to conduct studies that allow enforcers to gain a deeper
understanding of market trends and business practices. Findings stemming from
such orders can help inform future Commission actions.
Companies are deploying a range of strategies in developing and using AI,
including pursuing partnerships and direct investments with AI developers to
get access to key technologies and inputs needed for AI development. The
orders issued today were sent to companies involved in three separate
multi-billion-dollar investments: Microsoft and OpenAI, Amazon and Anthropic,
and Google and Anthropic. The FTC’s inquiry will help the agency deepen
enforcers understanding of the investments and partnerships formed between
generative AI developers and cloud service providers.
The FTC is seeking information specifically related to:
-Information regarding a specific investment or partnership, including
agreements and the strategic rationale of an investment/partnership.
-The practical implications of a specific partnership or investment, including
decisions around new product releases, governance or oversight rights, and
the topic of regular meetings.
-Analysis of the transactions’ competitive impact, including information
related to market share, competition, competitors, markets, potential for
sales growth, or expansion into product or geographic markets.
-Competition for AI inputs and resources, including the competitive dynamics
regarding key products and services needed for generative AI.
-Information provided to any other government entity, including foreign
government entities, in connection with any investigation, request for
information, or other inquiry related to these topics.
The companies will have 45 days from the date they receive the order to
respond.
The Commission voted 3-0 to issue the Section 6(b) orders and conduct the
study of AI investments and partnerships.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and
educate consumers. You can learn more about how competition benefits
consumers or file an antitrust complaint. For the latest news and resources,
follow the FTC on social media, subscribe to press releases and read our blog.