Mornings with Brian Haldane – Big Tech in the Crosshairs as AI Debate Heats Up

Originally published here.

Josh Withrow, a fellow on the R Street Institute’s Technology and Innovation team, joined Talk 107.3 to discuss the reintroduction of the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA) and its potential implications for artificial intelligence and the broader technology sector.

AICOA is proposed legislation aimed at modifying existing U.S. antitrust standards, particularly by limiting “self-preferencing” practices among large digital platforms. According to Withrow, the bill would restrict how major technology companies integrate their own products and services within their ecosystems. Companies that meet certain size thresholds—widely believed to include firms such as Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon—could be required to provide equal treatment to competitors on their platforms.

For example, Withrow noted that practices such as integrating Google Maps within search results or offering Amazon-branded products alongside third-party sellers could face restrictions under the bill. Proponents argue these measures would enhance competition by preventing dominant firms from leveraging platform advantages to favor their own offerings.

However, Withrow cautioned that the legislation could have unintended consequences for consumers and innovation. He suggested that limiting product integration could reduce functionality and convenience in widely used digital services. He also pointed to Europe’s Digital Markets Act as a comparable regulatory framework, where similar provisions have resulted in reduced service integration and delays in the rollout of certain AI-driven features.

Withrow further emphasized the challenge of regulating rapidly evolving technologies like artificial intelligence. He noted that AICOA was originally drafted before the recent acceleration of generative AI development, raising concerns that static regulatory frameworks could quickly become outdated.

Additionally, he highlighted potential downstream effects on smaller businesses, including app developers and third-party sellers that rely on large platforms for distribution and revenue. Changes to platform operations, he said, could impact these participants as companies adapt to comply with new regulations.

As debate continues, AICOA represents a key focal point in the broader discussion around balancing competition policy with technological innovation.