EU seeks if Google-Samsung chatbot deal limits chatbot rivals
Brussels – Top competition authorities in the European Union are looking into whether a multi-year deal between tech giants Google and Samsung might restrict chatbot competition on Samsung smartphones. The European Commission last month indicated it would request information to better understand the effects of an agreement that could see Google’s conversational AI assistant Gemini Nano integrated into future Samsung Galaxy devices.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate regulators have sent out questionnaires to industry players regarding the matter. One key question asked if pre-installing Gemini Nano via devices or cloud infrastructure could curb the number of other generative AI systems pre-loaded on Samsung phones. Another query addressed whether such a deal may limit interoperability between third-party chatbots and pre-installed apps.
Respondents were also queried if they had unsuccessfully attempted to partner with device makers for chatbot integration, and why those deals did not come to fruition. Information provided will aid antitrust officials in determining potential competitive impacts, as the two tech titans hold considerable sway in their respective mobile and AI markets.
Responses are due back this week, as regulators seek to build understanding of industry dynamics before deciding next steps. Any restrictions on chatbot competitors arising from the high-profile collaboration could invite regulator scrutiny. For now, details of the cooperation between Google and Samsung remain sparse, with implications for both companies and wider conversational technologies hanging in the balance.
