The U.K.'s competition watchdog said it's looking into whether Microsoft's (MSFT) partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI could impact competition amid the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:artificial intelligence (AI) boom.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) asked for comments from Microsoft, OpenAI, and the public after "recent developments" that may have "resulted in a relevant merger situation and, if so, the impact that the merger could have on competition in the UK."

Last month, Microsoft said it would 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:hire OpenAI founder and𝔍 CEO Sam Altman to lead a new AI team at Microsoft after he was ousted by OpenAI's board, 澳洲幸ꦜ运5官方开奖结果体彩网:as𒁃 well as absorb any resigning OpenAI employees. However, Altman was quickly 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:reinstated at OpenAI, and OpenAI granted Microsoft a non-voting observer seat on its board.

Microsoft is OpenAI's largest shareholder, and has invested billions into the startup, with the CMA noting the partnership "represents a close, multi-faceted relationship between two firms with significant activities."

Microsoft shares were 0.1% higher at $371.51 per share Friday as of about 11:40 a.m. ET, and have gained over 55% year-to-date.