TLDR: OpenAI has voiced significant concerns to European Union regulators regarding the stifling of competition in the artificial intelligence sector by established tech giants like Google. The company urged the EU to prevent these dominant platforms from locking in users and leveraging their existing market power to control the burgeoning AI market, as the EU continues its investigations into potential antitrust violations.
San Francisco, CA – October 24, 2025 – OpenAI, the developer behind the widely used ChatGPT, has formally appealed to European Union antitrust authorities, expressing apprehension that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is being hampered by the monopolistic practices of entrenched technology companies. The move underscores a growing tension between innovative AI startups and established tech behemoths as regulatory bodies worldwide grapple with the implications of AI’s explosive growth.
During a pivotal meeting on September 24, 2025, with EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera, OpenAI representatives highlighted the formidable challenges faced by “smaller” players in competing with vertically integrated platforms such as Google. These platforms, OpenAI argued, already command massive user bases and extensive infrastructure, creating an uneven playing field. Meeting minutes revealed OpenAI’s plea for regulators to ensure that major platforms cannot “lock in” users or exploit their dominance in areas like search and advertising to tighten their grip on the fast-evolving AI market. The company also stressed that “access to key data is essential” for fostering healthy competition within the AI ecosystem.
OpenAI’s stance, which it describes as a “long-standing public position on fair competition in the AI ecosystem,” comes as the European Commission intensifies its scrutiny of how tech giants are extending their market positions into AI. This includes a review of specific intercompany agreements that could potentially stifle innovation and consumer choice. The timing of OpenAI’s meeting coincided with the closure of the Commission’s public consultation on AI and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) on the very same day, suggesting a strategic effort to influence forthcoming AI regulations.
Despite the ongoing investigations, the EU Commission currently faces limitations in directly addressing AI bundling under existing merger rules, as the comprehensive Digital Markets Act review is not slated for conclusion until May 2026. Furthermore, generative AI has yet to be officially designated as a core platform service requiring gatekeeper compliance under the DMA.
OpenAI’s influence in the AI landscape is undeniable, with the company boasting over 800 million weekly ChatGPT users. It recently achieved a staggering $500 billion valuation following a secondary share sale, cementing its status as one of the world’s most valuable startups. However, this growth is juxtaposed against the backdrop of increasing regulatory pressure, including warnings to OpenAI, xAI, and Mistral to adhere to the enforcement of the EU AI Act.
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While the European Commission and Google have not yet provided official comments on OpenAI’s specific allegations, the broader regulatory environment indicates a clear intent to shape the future of AI competition and governance. The outcome of these discussions and investigations will undoubtedly have profound implications for the trajectory of AI development and market dynamics in the coming years.
