In today’s Digest we cover ChatGPT’s ads partners becoming frustrated by the 'slow' rollout despite the buzz around their introduction, Musk being found liable in a $44bn fraud case related to Twitter, and broadcasters pushing for tougher smart TV rules across Europe.

ChatGPT’s slow rollout of ads frustrates partners

OpenAI’s introduction of advertising within ChatGPT has drawn strong early interest from brands and agencies seeking to test emerging AI-driven marketing formats. Major holding groups, including WPP, Omnicom, and Dentsu, have been among participants in the initial pilot. However, several industry sources said the rollout has progressed more slowly than anticipated, despite relatively high entry commitments, with some advertisers allocating up to USD$250,000 (£185,000) to the programme. The limited scale of delivery has raised concerns that budgets may not be fully deployed within the trial period, restricting the volume of insights generated.

OpenAI said the gradual rollout was intentional, noting that the company remains in an early testing phase focused on refining the user experience before broader expansion. While some partners expressed frustration at the pace, others indicated that recent increases in ad delivery signal improving momentum.

Musk liable in $44bn Twitter fraud case

A US federal jury in San Francisco has found Elon Musk liable in a civil case brought by former Twitter shareholders, who accused him of misleading the market during his USD$44bn (£33.22bn) takeover in 2022. Jurors concluded that Musk made false and materially misleading statements regarding the prevalence of bots on the platform, which plaintiffs argued contributed to a decline in the company’s share price. While damages have yet to be determined, legal representatives for the shareholders indicated they could reach USD$2.5bn (£1.89bn). Musk’s legal team described the ruling as a temporary setback and signalled plans to appeal.

The case centred on public statements Musk made shortly after agreeing to acquire Twitter, including claims that the deal was “on hold” pending verification of bot levels and suggestions that fake accounts could account for more than 20% of users. The jury found him liable for two such statements, though it rejected broader allegations that he engaged in a coordinated scheme to defraud investors.

Broadcasters push EU for tougher smart TV rules

Europe’s largest broadcasters have urged the European Commission to subject smart TV platforms and virtual assistants operated by major technology firms to the bloc’s strictest competition rules, citing their expanding market influence. In a letter to EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera, the Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe (ACT), argued that platforms developed by Google, Amazon, Apple, and Samsung now play a decisive role in content distribution. The intervention highlights intensifying competition between traditional broadcasters and Big Tech for dominance in the rapidly growing streaming and connected TV market.

The broadcasters pointed to rising market shares of operating systems such as Android TV, Amazon Fire OS, and Samsung’s Tizen as evidence of increasing gatekeeper power, calling for their designation under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). They warned that a small number of companies are gaining the ability to shape user access to content and audiences, potentially restricting competition by keeping users within their own ecosystems or limiting interoperability between apps. 

The European Commission confirmed it is reviewing the submission, while the companies named have yet to respond.