HISTORY RHYMES: APPLE’S AI FAVORITISM ECHOES MICROSOFT’S MONOPOLY ERA Antitrust lawsuits have long been a tool to curb monopolistic practices in the tech industry, ensuring fair competition and innovation. Historically, these cases have led to significant victories that reshaped markets. For instance, the landmark U.S. v. Microsoft case in the late 1990s accused the company of abusing its Windows monopoly by bundling Internet Explorer, stifling competitors like Netscape. The settlement forced Microsoft to open up its APIs and avoid exclusive deals, paving the way for browser diversity and the rise of alternatives like Firefox and Chrome. Similarly, the 1982 breakup of AT&T's Bell System monopoly dismantled its control over telecommunications, fostering competition that spurred innovations in long-distance services and eventually the mobile era. These wins demonstrated how antitrust enforcement can break down barriers, boost consumer choice, and accelerate technological progress. Fast-forward to today, and we're seeing echoes of these battles in Apple's integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into its operating systems. This partnership embeds ChatGPT deeply into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS via features like Siri enhancements and system-wide writing tools, giving it privileged access and prime placement. While Apple frames this as enhancing user experience, it creates an uneven playing field. By leveraging its App Store monopoly - which controls over 2.2 billion devices - Apple promotes ChatGPT through algorithmic boosts, curated lists, and exclusive integrations, while suppressing rivals. Elon has accused Apple of "unequivocal antitrust violations" under Section 2 of the Sherman Act, claiming it makes it "impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1." This isn't just about rankings; it's about bundling a third-party AI as a de facto default, potentially locking out other developers and reducing incentives for innovation in the burgeoning AI space. Comparing the two eras, the parallels are striking. Just as Microsoft's IE bundling was deemed anticompetitive for entrenching dominance, Apple's ChatGPT embedding could be seen as using its OS monopoly to favor OpenAI, echoing the very practices that led to Microsoft's scrutiny. In the past, victories like these opened doors for underdogs - think how the AT&T breakup enabled new entrants in telecom. Without intervention, Apple's move will stifle AI competition, where startups and alternatives like Grok and others struggle to gain visibility on iOS devices. The ongoing DOJ lawsuit against Apple for broader smartphone practices already highlights App Store gatekeeping; this AI deal will amplify those concerns. If history is any guide, regulators should act swiftly. Past antitrust triumphs didn't just punish giants - they unleashed waves of creativity. In the AI era, ensuring open competition could democratize access to advanced tools, benefiting users far beyond any single company's ecosystem.