Today, the Competition Bureau published a report titled Consultation on Artificial Intelligence and Competition: What We Heard following its consultation on artificial intelligence (AI) and competition. This is part of the Bureau's ongoing work to explore AI and its impacts on competition.
The Bureau's consultation on its AI discussion paper received 28 submissions. These came from a range of domestic and international respondents, including individuals, consumer advocacy groups, think tanks, members of academia and the legal community, industry associations, and large technology companies.
The report outlines key themes and considerations raised during the consultation, and notes four key takeaways:
- There is rapidly evolving advancement in all parts of AI technology, from AI inputs and foundational models to end products and services. AI advancements are introducing new market dynamics that can either promote or hinder competition.
- Massive investment - key to technological growth - is occurring across the AI sector. In particular, investment by large incumbent firms is an area to monitor, given these firms' potential to leverage their market power to stifle competition and innovation.
- AI can facilitate certain anti-competitive conduct. It remains to be seen whether existing antitrust laws are able to effectively address such practices.
- Respondents positively viewed the consultation exercise and the Bureau's role in ensuring a competitive marketplace. They also offered a number of ideas for future consultation and collaboration.
The Bureau thanks all those who participated in the consultation. We will continue to engage with partners, the international community, market participants and Canadians as we advance our understanding of the emerging competition issues related to AI.
