OpenAI is concerned about the growth of AI competition and, hence, has reached out to the European Commission (EC) to express its concerns. The creator of ChatGPT has met with the EC to elaborate on its worries about the power of giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google stifling growth and competition in the evolving artificial intelligence (AI) market.
The meeting, which took place on September 24, 2025, involved representatives of Teresa Ribera, the EC’s antitrust lead. Details from the discussion, which were recently made public, indicate that OpenAI shared its views on “competition in the dynamic and evolving markets for artificial intelligence-based services.”
The focus of OpenAI’s complaint centers on the dominance of the ‘Big Tech’ firms, which control the operating systems, app stores, and search engines that serve as gatekeepers for most digital activity. OpenAI argued that this strong position makes it difficult for startups and smaller companies to compete effectively.
OpenAI asks EU to take a look at US’ ‘Big Tech’
The AI firm urged the European regulators to maintain vigilance and take “timely action… to avoid users being locked into specific platforms.” OpenAI said that such lock-in, which occurs when users find it difficult to switch ecosystems, makes it challenging for third-party companies like OpenAI to gain any share against brands that can prioritise their own AI products (like Google’s Gemini or Apple’s Apple Intelligence).
The complaint comes at a time when OpenAI has been reportedly forging new deals with Big Tech firms for their software platforms. Microsoft is a major investor and partner of OpenAI, integrating it into Windows 11’s CoPilot app. Apple recently integrated ChatGPT into Siri to bolster its own suite of AI features, dubbed Apple Intelligence.
Hence, this situation suggests that OpenAI is attempting to navigate a delicate balance – leveraging Big Tech’s platforms for distribution while simultaneously lobbying regulators to limit their market control.
Will EU take any action against Big Tech?
While there is no indication that the meeting marks the start of a new antitrust complaint within the European Union, OpenAI’s stance seems clear – preparing for a regulatory battle. The Sam Altman-led firm wants to ensure a level playing field in the future of AI software and hardware, making way for its upcoming AI models and the rumoured ‘ChatGPT gadget’.
