
Competition and AI: anticompetitive practices, abuse of dominance and regulatory stakes
Google's massive AI investments raise competition questions. What vigilance is required for partners and competitors within these ecosystems?
The concentration of the AI market around a handful of vertically integrated players — cloud, models, distribution — is drawing scrutiny from European and national competition authorities. Bundling, priority access to compute and differentiated pricing are examined under the DMA and general competition law.
For partners, technological dependency translates into contractual
For partners, technological dependency translates into contractual and competitive risk: unilaterally modified terms, de facto eviction from key features, capture of usage value. Documenting this dependency becomes a governance issue.
For partners, technological dependency translates into contractual and competitive risk: unilaterally modified terms, de facto eviction from key features, capture of usage value.
For competitors, vigilance targets disguised exclusivity, data
For competitors, vigilance targets disguised exclusivity, data access conditions and vertical integration strategies. Complaints before national authorities, in parallel with European proceedings, are gaining effectiveness.
Key takeaways
- 01Bundling, priority access to compute and differentiated pricing are examined under the DMA and general competition law.
- 02Documenting this dependency becomes a governance issue.
- 03Complaints before national authorities, in parallel with European proceedings, are gaining effectiveness.
Published on
22 April 2026
Section
Competition
Rackham Limited
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