FTC probes Microsoft’s cloud and AI as Anthropic raises $30 billion
The FTC has launched a review of Microsoft’s cloud and AI practices to examine potential anti-competitive bundling, raising regulatory risk for its Azure business. Meanwhile, AI rival Anthropic closed a $30 billion round at a $380 billion valuation, signaling heightened competition in AI where Microsoft is an investor.
1. FTC Launches Inquiry of Cloud and AI Practices
The Federal Trade Commission has opened a review of Microsoft’s Azure cloud and AI offerings to assess whether bundling services like Azure OpenAI with its core platform violates competition rules, introducing potential fines or forced divestitures.
2. Anthropic’s $30 Billion Fundraise Raises Competitive Stakes
Anthropic secured $30 billion at a $380 billion valuation, boosting its war chest to develop next-generation AI models and intensifying competition in the AI market where Microsoft holds strategic partnerships and investments.