Antitrust enforcers in the U.S. and the EU are grappling with the challenges posed by the rise of generative AI and the dominance of Big Tech in the digital economy. The conference in Brussels featured discussions on the potential regulatory responses to these issues, highlighting the need for vigilance and proactive measures to address market consolidation and competition concerns.
U.S. antitrust enforcers emphasized the importance of anticipating and addressing market consolidation through future-looking strategies rather than relying solely on corrective action. They discussed the expansion and adoption of AI tools as an opportunity to shape regulations proactively, drawing on past lessons from missed opportunities during the Web 2.0 era. The FTC and DoJ both expressed their commitment to understanding and demystifying AI to enforce competition laws effectively.
On the European side, discussions revolved around evolving attitudes toward Big Tech mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on the implications for AI under the new Digital Markets Act (DMA). EU enforcers deliberated on the complexities of integrating AI into the DMA’s scope and the need for a coordinated approach, involving national competition regulators, to address AI-related competition issues.
The strategic choices and challenges facing regulatory bodies in implementing and enforcing the DMA were underscored, with a call for proactive measures and ongoing dialogue with platform stakeholders to ensure compliance and address non-compliance issues effectively. The conference shed light on the regulatory developments and ongoing efforts to navigate the intersection of AI, Big Tech dominance, and antitrust enforcement.