Algorithms and Antitrust: When Pricing Gets Smart

As companies adopt increasingly sophisticated algorithms to optimize pricing, antitrust concerns are catching up. What happens when machines—not people—start coordinating prices across competitors? While traditional collusion involves backroom deals, today’s antitrust cases may hinge on whether autonomous pricing tools can facilitate tacit coordination without explicit agreements.

This new frontier raises complex economic questions that expert economists are uniquely positioned to address. From defining relevant markets to detecting supracompetitive pricing patterns, economists play a crucial role in helping courts understand whether algorithmic strategies enhance efficiency—or edge into unlawful territory.

 Our team can help unpack these challenges through rigorous economic analysis—get in touch to learn how.