PANews reports on May 23 that according to informed sources, the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Google (GOOG.O) has violated antitrust laws by agreeing to use artificial intelligence technology from a popular chatbot manufacturer. Informed sources say that antitrust enforcement agencies have recently informed Google that they are examining whether the transaction structure built with Character.AI is intended to circumvent formal government merger review. According to an agreement reached last year, the chatbot manufacturer's founder joined Google, and Google obtained a non-exclusive technology license. A Google spokesperson stated in an email statement, "We are always happy to respond to regulatory inquiries. The addition of Character.AI talent is exciting, but Google does not hold its equity, and the company remains independently operated." Even if the transaction does not require formal review, the Department of Justice still has the right to investigate whether it constitutes anti-competitive behavior. The investigation, which is currently in its early stages, has not yet accused Google of misconduct and may ultimately not take enforcement action.
