Can Machines Commit Crimes Under U.S. Antitrust Laws?

Authors

Aslihan AsilFollow
Thomas G. WollmannFollow

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Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence is being rapidly deployed for corporate tasks including pricing. Suppose one of these machines communicates with the pricing manager of a competing firm, proposes to collude, receives assent, and raises price. Is this a crime under U.S. antitrust laws, and, if so, who is liable? Based on the observed behavior of the most widely adopted large language model, we argue that this conduct is imminent, satisfies the requirements for agreement and intent under Section 1 of the Sherman Act, and could confer criminal liability to both firms as well as the pricing manager of the competing firm.

Recommended Citation

Asil, Aslihan and Wollmann, Thomas G. (2024) "Can Machines Commit Crimes Under U.S. Antitrust Laws?," The University of Chicago Business Law Review: Vol. 3: No. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/ucblr/vol3/iss1/1