Foreword

Competition authorities worldwide continue to closely monitor developments in digital markets. Turkey has joined the growing list of authorities launching market studies into the AI sector, while Italy has initiated the first study on quantum computing. In the United Kingdom, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has decided not to proceed with a market investigation into the designation of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure under its digital competition regime, focusing instead on Microsoft’s business software ecosystem. By contrast, the EU continues to assess the merits of such a designation under the Digital Markets Act. The Netherlands will also examine the challenges firms face in reducing their dependence on non-European cloud providers.

At the same time, the UK Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum, which includes the Competition and Markets Authority, has published the first cross-regulatory report on agentic AI.

On a separate note, I have launched a new website that better reflects my work since founding Digital Competition in 2023. In the coming months, I will develop several initiatives, including regular discussions bringing together competition authorities, academics, and practitioners, both in person and online. In this context,t I am also offering competition authorities a complimentary one-year membership to my think tank.

I will host engagement sessions in London and Brussels to contribute to the policy debate on digital competition regimes and AI. In addition, I will launch a series of short FireChat videos featuring experts from tech firms, law firms, and competition authorities, showcasing their work in a concrete and accessible way. Many thanks to my clients for their continued trust and support.

PS: I will be in Madrid on 21–22 April, Brussels from 22–24 April, and then in London for a few weeks. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to participate in these initiatives and meet.

My Work

Featured Report: Preserving Competition in Answer Engines Under the Digital Markets Act

Answer engines are the evolution of general search. In Europe, the Digital Markets Act shapes this competition and requires the Commission to clarify access and self-preferencing rules while ensuring regulatory consistency. The report

Training: AI Agents and Competition

The AI agents and Competition Training delves into the competition implications of AI agents, both upstream and downstream, to help tech firms, law firms, and economic consulting firms build the expertise needed to navigate these emerging challenges. The training

Analysis: Reconciling Competition and Privacy in Accessing Search Data in Europe

In Europe, Google Search must grant rivals access to search data. In its specification proceeding, the Commission can define the scope of data, the anonymisation method, and access conditions to reconcile competition and privacy. The analysis

Opinion: The UK Should Refrain from Intervention in Cloud Services

Intervention in the UK cloud market risks overshooting a sector that is evolving rapidly and already addressing many of the competition concerns. The opinion

News

Generative AI

Turkey launches a market investigation on AI

The Turkish competition authority joins a growing list of authorities examining the AI sector. As in previous studies, it will assess the AI stack as a whole. I am available to contribute expertise. The announcement

Italy launches a market investigation on quantum computing

The Italian competition authority has initiated the first study on quantum computing, with a particular focus on competition issues linked to the development of AI. I am available to contribute expertise. The announcement

The UK Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum publishes a report on agentic AI

This cross-regulatory report examines emerging issues, including competition, arising from agentic AI. The report

France hosts a webinar on energy and AI

Following its report on competition issues in energy access for AI, the French competition authority will host a webinar on 16 April. The webinar

Nvidia acquires SchedMD

Nvidia has acquired SchedMD, a provider of open-source high-performance computing software. The transaction has reportedly raised concerns among AI specialists regarding potential foreclosure risks in software access. The acquisition

Digital Competition Regimes

The UK chooses not to designate cloud services

The CMA decided not to open a market investigation into Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure under its digital competition regime. While the decision is not extensively reasoned, current market dynamics, characterised by strong competition and sustained AI-driven investment, are likely to have played a role.

Both AWS and Microsoft offered voluntary commitments addressing concerns related to cloud interoperability and egress fees, extending, among other things, their compliance solutions under the Data Act. At the same time, the CMA has launched a market investigation into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem, focusing on its cloud licensing practices. The decision

The UK seeks stakeholder feedback on app store rules

As part of its monitoring of mobile ecosystems, the CMA has launched a call for evidence (until 22 April) on app store rules, particularly steering restrictions imposed by Apple and Google. In a context where several jurisdictions are addressing similar issues, the CMA is the first to assess their effectiveness on app developers and end users before considering intervention. I will reply to the call shortly. The call for evidence

The European Parliament pushes for the designation of cloud and AI services

As the Commission reviews the Digital Markets Act, the European Parliament has called for the designation of cloud and AI services. The Commission has already opened a market investigation into cloud services and launched two specification proceedings concerning Google, focusing, among other things, on interoperability with AI features and access to search data by AI providers. The resolution

Antitrust

The Netherlands focuses on resilience

The Dutch competition authority has set its 2026 priorities, emphasising resilience amid geopolitical tensions. It will notably assess firms’ dependence on non-European providers, including challenges in reducing reliance on cloud services. The announcement