The French Competition Authority has opened a broad market review of chatbot services, signalling increased regulatory attention on the competitive dynamics of artificial intelligence applications at the consumer-facing end of the value chain. As part of this initiative, the Authority has launched a public consultation aimed at gathering input from stakeholders across the digital economy.
The consultation follows the Authority’s decision earlier in January 2026 to initiate an own-initiative investigation into the chatbot sector. Stakeholders are invited to submit their views until 6 March 2026, providing the Authority with evidence and perspectives that will inform its forthcoming opinion on competition conditions in the sector.
Focus on Downstream AI Markets
While earlier competition assessments in France have concentrated on upstream generative AI markets—such as access to computing resources, data, and foundation models—the current initiative marks a shift toward downstream applications, particularly conversational agents used by businesses and consumers.
The Authority intends to examine how chatbots are developed, deployed, and monetised, with particular attention to emerging business models. Areas of interest include the integration of advertising within chatbot interfaces, the embedding of conversational agents into existing digital services, and the role of commercial partnerships between chatbot providers and other market players.
Competition Risks in Digital Ecosystems
A key concern underpinning the review is the potential for chatbot services to reshape competition across multiple digital markets. As chatbots become increasingly integrated into e-commerce platforms and customer interaction tools, the Authority will assess whether their use could affect market access, consumer choice, or competitive neutrality.
The review will also consider how the rapid evolution of chatbot functionality may alter competitive dynamics over time, including the risk of market tipping or the reinforcement of incumbents’ positions through data advantages or exclusive agreements.
Notably, the Authority has excluded the relationship between chatbots and search engines from the scope of this exercise, indicating a targeted approach rather than a comprehensive review of all AI-enabled services.
Part of a Broader AI Enforcement Strategy
The chatbot inquiry forms part of the French Competition Authority’s broader enforcement and advocacy strategy in the artificial intelligence sector. It builds on previous work analysing competition issues in generative AI markets, as well as a recent study examining the energy and environmental implications of AI development.
By inviting confidential input from market participants, the Authority aims to deepen its understanding of how conversational AI is reshaping competition and to identify whether existing competition rules are sufficient to address emerging risks.
The forthcoming opinion, informed by the consultation, is expected to provide guidance to both policymakers and market participants as AI-driven services continue to expand across the digital economy.