AI-Powered Cartels: The New Frontier in Antitrust Challenges
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaking up the world of antitrust enforcement. At the 10th Anniversary International Conference “Antitrust Policy: Science, Practice, Education,” experts from FAS Russia and HSE University highlighted a pressing issue: digital cartels and algorithmic coordination are rewriting the rules of competition. These AI-driven cartels can coordinate prices and market behaviors faster than any human could dream of, making traditional antitrust tools look like yesterday’s news.
Algorithms Are Smarter (and Sneakier) Than Ever
As technology advances, AI algorithms are starting to outsmart old-fashioned regulators. Instead of smoke-filled rooms or secret phone calls, companies can now let their AI do the dirty work—fixing prices or dividing markets with just a few lines of code. Regulators are scrambling to keep up, but it’s like bringing a slingshot to a laser fight. One thing’s for sure: if you thought catching a regular cartel was tough, try catching one that lives in the cloud and learns on the fly.
The conference sent a clear message: antitrust policy needs a major upgrade to keep up with the digital world. Maybe regulators should start hiring robots of their own!