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A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators is calling for federal regulators to launch an antitrust investigation into the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) sector, citing concerns over potential monopolistic practices that could stifle competition and harm consumers.
In a letter addressed to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Senators expressed alarm over the consolidation of AI technologies within a handful of powerful companies. They argue that this concentration of AI capabilities could lead to unfair market dominance, reducing innovation and limiting consumer choices.
“AI has the potential to revolutionize industries, but we must ensure that this transformation does not come at the cost of healthy competition,” the letter states. “We urge the FTC and DOJ to scrutinize mergers and acquisitions in the AI space and to investigate whether certain practices by dominant firms are designed to quash competitors.”
The Senators highlighted concerns over proprietary AI models and data, which they argue could be used as barriers to entry for smaller firms. They also pointed to recent acquisitions of AI startups by tech giants as indicative of a broader trend towards consolidation.
These developments have raised red flags among lawmakers and regulators who fear that the AI market could mirror the monopolistic tendencies seen in other technology sectors, such as social media and search engines. The Senators emphasized that without timely intervention, the AI industry could see reduced innovation, higher prices for AI-powered products and services, and a decrease in the diversity of available technologies.
The call for an antitrust investigation comes as the FTC and DOJ have been increasingly vocal about their intentions to curb anti-competitive practices in the tech industry. As AI continues to play a growing role in the economy, the outcome of this potential probe could have far-reaching implications for the future of the industry.