Algorithms have a major influence on the way firms compete in today’s economy. They have led to huge increases in the information available to suppliers and consumers and may exert a pro-competitive influence on many markets. However, the widespread use of algorithms has also raised concerns of possible anti-competitive behaviour as they can make it easier for firms to achieve and sustain collusion without any formal agreement or human interaction.
Mike Walker was appointed Chief Economic Adviser at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in 2013. Mike is a member of the Senior Executive Team and a central adviser to the Board. He is also an academic at Kings College, London and the College of Europe in Bruges, and co-author of The Economics of EU Competition Law. Previous career highlights include Director of Competition Policy at London Economics; Senior regulatory economist with British Telecom; Senior Associate at Lexecon, London and Brussels and Vice President, European Competition Policy at Charles River Associates (CRA) International.
Stephen Lewis is a Partner based in the London office of RBB Economics with significant experience in analysing competition issues in the technology sector. Stephen has advised Google on competition matters for over 10 years and is the lead economist on the Google Search EC case. He is also currently advising Google on the EC’s investigations into Android and online search ad intermediation, as well as on a number of other investigations around the world. His merger experience includes cases that raised novel issues in relation to data usage and algorithms, such as Google/DoubleClick, Google/BeatThatQuote, Google/Motorola and Google/Waze.
At this evening meeting, these two leading microeconomists will debate the effects of algorithms on competition and outcomes for consumers.
The meeting starts at 6pm and will be followed by networking drinks Booking is required: if you wish to attend, please click email admin@spe.org.uk