FTC Initiates Inquiry into Amazon’s Recruitment from Adept AI Labs

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an informal inquiry into Amazon.com Inc.’s recent recruitment of senior executives from startup Adept AI Labs Inc., according to sources familiar with the matter. This move comes as part of the antitrust regulator’s broader scrutiny into tech giants’ activities in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

Existing Investigations and Context

The FTC is currently investigating Amazon’s connections with Anthropic. They are also scrutinizing AI investments by Microsoft and Google. These investigations highlight growing concerns over competition and innovation in the AI field, where major companies wield significant influence.

Sources indicate that the inquiry is still in its preliminary stages and may not necessarily escalate into a full-fledged investigation. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, according to wsj news.

Amazon’s Strategic Moves

Last month, Amazon bolstered its AI capabilities by recruiting David Luan, co-founder and former CEO of Adept AI Labs. Luan has joined Amazon’s team specializing in artificial general intelligence. This field aims to mimic human cognitive abilities. Additionally, four other Adept co-founders and several team members made the transition to Amazon.

Adept AI Labs, noted for crafting AI agents for corporate tasks, gained tech community recognition. In March last year, it secured $350 million in funding, valuing the company at over $1 billion. Forbes reported investments from General Catalyst and Spark Capital.

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Company Responses and Regulatory Silence

Both Amazon and the FTC have refrained from commenting on the inquiry and its implications.This situation highlights the complex interplay of talent acquisition, innovation, and regulatory scrutiny in the tech sector. It especially resonates within the swiftly evolving AI landscape.

This latest development adds to the ongoing discourse surrounding big tech’s influence over AI advancements and competition dynamics, prompting close scrutiny from regulatory bodies like the FTC.

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