As if it were not enough that the largest economic nations are imposing punitive measures on each other, the major US tech companies are now also waging a war over the AI monopoly.
As has now become known, Zuckerberg's group has $META (+0,27 %) has blocked the use of Apple Intelligence within its apps on iOS devices. This means that you can only use Meta's Llama AI in WhatsApp and Instagram, but not the $AAPL (+1,76 %) AI.
First and foremost, it's remarkable that this is even possible. In fact, I would never have thought it possible to program and distribute software within Apple's ecosystem that can override the basic functions of the operating system.
Secondly, Meta is also playing a dangerous game here. Firstly, Apple could go to court, as this is likely to be illegal as anticompetitive behavior, at least in the EU. Of course, it is questionable whether the judges would have much sympathy for Apple, but competition authorities generally don't like it when you block features from other companies so that consumers can no longer decide for themselves which product they use.
On the other hand, Apple could of course also strike back and, for example, block updates or functions of Meta apps through the App Store, so that Meta would also have to reckon with problems. However, this would also not be permitted and Apple has already gotten into real trouble with Spotify. But that brings us back to the question of whether the judges would be particularly sympathetic to Meta? Probably not.
I can already see major upheavals brewing here between the two tech giants, in which both sides will only lose. Apple can't do without Meta and Meta can't do without Apple.
Of course, it will also be interesting to see whether the other Silicon Valley companies will also position themselves in the AI war. $GOOG (-1,33 %) / $GOOGL (-1,34 %) doesn't have quite as bad a relationship with Meta as Apple, but they don't really have any friends either and are of course also in competition with Microsoft and Apple. $AMZN (-0,36 %) I consider Meta to be relatively resilient overall. They don't really need anyone from the others and, if I remember correctly, it has been customary for years to play hardball in disputes with the other companies. I can't swear to it, but I'm pretty sure that there wasn't even a YouTube app on Fire TV back then. $MSFT (-0,72 %) Since the end of the Ballmer era, the company has also managed to maintain a relatively neutral and peaceful relationship with pretty much all companies. I'm curious to see if it will stay that way.
Overall, I am particularly concerned that Meta, Alphabet and Apple could be severely affected if, in addition to the political pressure in the trade conflict, friendly fire is now also exerted from within their own ranks. If the tech platforms isolate themselves from each other and impose sanctions, there will be many losers and no clear winners for the companies and, of course, for their customers.
