Rich discussion of AI #acquihires (when are they a problem, what shld antitrust do?) turned into broader debate on “do we have a competition problem w Al & what is it?” Fireside w J Kanter, fab panel @florianederer.bsky.social @igorletina.bsky.social @lugaricano.bsky.social I Marinescu, H Zenger 1/
Ashley Capoot, Salvador Rodriguez & Annie Palmer reveal how Big Tech’s high-priced talent poaching from AI startups fuels “zombie deals,” hollowing out innovation. Giants like Google & Meta use minority stakes/licensing to bypass M&A rules, sparking workforce cuts & founder exodus. Are these deals killing future AI breakthroughs? Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/19/how-ai-zombie-deals-work-meta-google.html #AI #startups #M&A #SiliconValley #regulation #talentacquisition #acquihires #venturecapital #techgiants #OpenAI #Google #Meta #Microsoft #Amazon #FTC #antitrust
Silicon Valley's AI deals are creating zombie startups: 'You hollowed out the organization'

Unable to make big AI purchases because of regulatory hurdles, tech giants have spent billions to buy top talent from startups, leaving behind shell companies.

CNBC

⬆️ #EU signals fresh #AI scrutiny for #Microsoft-#OpenAI deal and #Google

“Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI over the years, but we have to make sure that partnerships like this do not become a disguise for one partner getting a controlling influence over the other.”

The stepped-up scrutiny highlights how #EuropeanUnion regulators have been pacesetters for the global push to rein in big tech companies, including the major AI players

EU is also examining so-called tech #acquihires