According to reports, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened two independent investigations against Nvidia concerning antitrust worries over the computer giant’s AI-focused commercial activities.
The DOJ will look at Nvidia’s acquisition of Run: ai in the first probe, as reported by Politico. In contrast, The Information will look into whether Nvidia utilised its monopoly on AI processors to deter users from adopting rival products in the second inquiry.
Run:ai, formerly in conjunction with Nvidia, makes it possible to virtualise graphics processing units, or GPUs, which accounts for over $3 trillion in market value for Nvidia. With demand for processors significantly exceeding availability, Run:ai’s technology enables users to accomplish more with fewer chips, making it a very valuable service.
Newsng gathered that U.S. regulators have reportedly contacted a number of Nvidia rivals, including advanced Micro Devices and startups developing AI chips, in recent weeks to learn more about the allegations.
Concerns about Nvidia’s recent acquisition of firms that tighten its hold on the software used by AI developers are among the difficulties, as are claims that the company has threatened to punish consumers who purchase goods from its rivals.
In response to the report, a spokesperson for Nvidia said the company “wins on merit.”
“We compete based on decades of investment and innovation, scrupulously adhering to all laws, making NVIDIA openly available in every cloud and on-prem for every enterprise, and ensuring that customers can choose whatever solution is best for them,” the spokesperson said.
They added that Nvidia is “happy to provide any information regulators need.”
We earlier reported that for the first time, French competition authorities—who oversee the competition in the nation known for its love of cheese—have announced that Nvidia is being investigated for possible anti-competitive behaviour.