Microsoft & Apple Abruptly Drop OpenAI Board Observer Seats As Antitrust Investigations Mount

Let's begin with new details from the Financial Times, which reveal that Microsoft has relinquished its board observer seat at OpenAI, while Apple is not expected to take an observer role on the board.

The big mystery is why Microsoft and Apple are suddenly trying to distance themselves from OpenAI. Could it be due to mounting antitrust investigations from Europe to the US? 

Here's more from FT: 
Microsoft, which has invested $13bn in the maker of the generative AI chatbot ChatGPT, said in a letter to OpenAI that its withdrawal from its board role would be "effective immediately".

Apple had also been expected to take an observer role on OpenAI's board as part of a deal to integrate ChatGPT into the iPhone maker's devices, but would not do so, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.