TOKYO (ANN/THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN) – The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) is set to launch an investigation into artificial intelligence within the business sector, with a particular focus on generative AI.
This move by the JFTC aims to scrutinise market dynamics and identify potentially problematic practices among information technology giants that are expanding their influence in generative AI services.
There is mounting concern that the dominance of these tech giants could stifle competition, thereby hindering the advancement of AI technology.
The investigation is expected to assess whether these companies have breached anti-monopoly laws through actions such as data accumulation or giving preferential treatment to their own AI services.
Key players like Microsoft, Google, Meta (formerly Facebook), and Amazon.com, Inc, known for their substantial data holdings and robust presence in generative AI, are actively competing in technological advancements.
Critics fear that these major tech firms might deter potential competitors by restricting access to critical AI development data or by designing AI products that steer users towards proprietary services, potentially consolidating their market dominance.
