Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following concerns raised by the Competition and Markets Authority about potential 'over-dependence' on a small number of major tech firms in the AI industry, what steps they are taking (1) to promote competition, and (2) to prevent monopolistic practices, within the AI sector.

The Government is committed to ensuring that digital markets work well for businesses and consumers. It will be for the CMA in the first instance as the independent regulator to decide how to exercise its powers to address any competition issues in digital markets as they develop.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill will give the CMA new, faster and more effective tools to identify and address competition issues in digital markets, including AI markets. These will apply where it finds firms have substantial and entrenched market power and a position of strategic significance in one or more digital activities. Subject to Parliamentary timings, the Bill is on track to receive Royal Assent in Spring, and we expect the regime will come into force in Autumn this year.