The ChatGPT maker has told a European Commission deputy that despite being hosted by Apple, Microsoft, and Google App Stores, US Big Tech's dominance in the technology world is a problem for OpenAI.
OpenAI met with representatives of the Commission's antitrust lead Teresa Ribera to discuss the way Apple and other big tech firms are "entrenched," making it difficult for startups to compete. The meeting took place on September 24, 2025 with the minutes having been recently made available.
Those notes suggest that OpenAI's representatives shared their views on "competition in the dynamic and evolving markets for artificial intelligence-based service," among other things. They also pointed to the need for vigilance and "timely action" by regulators, like the EC, to avoid users being locked into specific platforms.
Such lock-in would make it difficult for companies like OpenAI to compete with incumbents like Apple and Google. However, Apple uses OpenAI's ChatGPT to bolster its Apple Intelligence suite of features.
OpenAI is also been working with Microsoft (a partner and shareholder) in recent years, suggesting that the status quo hasn't impeded the company too much thus far.
No definitive conclusions were recorded following the meeting, OpenAI's stance is clear. The company is getting ready for a battle over the screens in our pockets — and the AI software that powers them.
There is also no suggestion that this meeting constitutes the beginning of an antitrust complaint within the European Union. However, it's unclear how OpenAI's customers and partners within big tech will see this move.
As things stand, OpenAI seems to want to have its cake and eat it — by having Apple and others use its services while also complaining about their positions in the market.
