OpenAI Raises Concerns Over Big Tech's AI Market Dominance to EU Regulators

AppleInsider.com

The ChatGPT maker has told a European Commission deputy that despite being hosted by Apple, Microsoft, and Google App Stores, US Big Tech's dominance in the technology world is a problem for OpenAI. OpenAI met with representatives of the Commission's antitrust lead Teresa Ribera to discuss the way Apple and other big tech firms are "entrenched," making it difficult for startups to compete. The meeting took place on September 24, 2025 with the minutes having been recently made available. Those notes suggest that OpenAI's representatives shared their views on "competition in the dynamic and evolving markets for artificial intelligence-based service," among other things. They also pointed to the need for vigilance and "timely action" by regulators, like the EC, to avoid users being locked into specific platforms. Such lock-in would make it difficult for companies like OpenAI to compete with incumbents like Apple and Google. However, Apple uses OpenAI's ChatGPT to bolster its Apple Intelligence suite of features. OpenAI is also been working with Microsoft (a partner and shareholder) in recent years, suggesting that the status quo hasn't impeded the company too much thus far. No definitive conclusions were recorded following the meeting, OpenAI's stance is clear. The company is getting ready for a battle over the screens in our pockets -- and the AI software that powers them. There is also no suggestion that this meeting constitutes the beginning of an antitrust complaint within the European Union. However, it's unclear how OpenAI's customers and partners within big tech will see this move. As things stand, OpenAI seems to want to have its cake and eat it -- by having Apple and others use its services while also complaining about their positions in the market.

OpenAI Warns EU Regulators of Big Tech's Growing Grip on AI Markets | PYMNTS.com

The artificial intelligence company, which has grown rapidly to become one of the world's most influential startups, met with EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera on September 24 to voice its concerns. During the meeting, OpenAI reportedly detailed the "difficulties" it encounters when competing against established technology giants and urged European regulators to take steps to "avoid the lock-in of customers by large platforms," per Bloomberg's account of the meeting notes. According to Bloomberg, OpenAI specifically warned about challenges in several digital sectors, including cloud computing and app development. The company argued that access to key datasets is essential to ensure fair competition in the emerging AI market. Individuals familiar with the matter said that Google, Microsoft, and Apple were identified as the main focus of OpenAI's complaints during the hybrid meeting, which included both in-person and virtual participants. Related: OpenAI and Anthropic Consider Using Investor Funds to Cover AI Copyright Suits The European Commission declined to elaborate on the discussions, beyond referencing the meeting summary, Bloomberg reported. Representatives for Google, Microsoft, and Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An OpenAI spokesperson directed Bloomberg to a previous company blog post outlining its concerns over bottlenecks in AI development -- particularly regarding Google's dominance in key infrastructure areas. While OpenAI's statements stop short of a formal antitrust complaint, Bloomberg noted that any escalation could strain its relationships with other major players in the tech ecosystem, particularly Microsoft. The two firms have been closely aligned since forming a multibillion-dollar partnership that helped accelerate the integration of OpenAI's models into Microsoft's products. Yet, tensions have grown as both companies increasingly compete for the same customers. As Bloomberg highlighted, Microsoft's Copilot app now directly rivals OpenAI's flagship ChatGPT platform, while OpenAI's growing enterprise customer base overlaps with a core segment of Microsoft's business.