CCI to commission study on AI to better gauge antitrust concerns: Chairperson Ravneet Kaur

Competition Commission of India (CCI) chairperson Ravneet Kaur on Friday said the regulator will undertake a study on artificial intelligence (AI) to better understand antitrust concerns in this space, given the increasing adoption of such technology in various sectors of the economy.

“In that study, we will try to understand the dynamics better. We can differentiate what kind of AI that we want to support and which one is stifling innovation,” Kaur said at an industry event in the capital.

Later on the side lines of the event, she made it clear that the CCI’s decision to commission the study isn’t influenced by any complaint of anti-competitive conduct of AI players, and it hasn’t yet received any such complaint.


Kaur also highlighted that in this rapidly-evolving business environment, it’s important for the competition regulator to look at not just the digital market but also traditional manufacturing across the private and public sectors.

The CCI's role is not limited to just ensuring fair competition in the economy; it also seeks to promote consumer welfare as well as a business-friendly environment, Kaur said.

The watchdog has adopted the fair public consultation policy and also seeks to ensure that regulatory action doesn’t become a roadblock for the country’s economic growth and development, she said.

Towards these objectives, the regulator has been offering the so-called “green channel” route for deemed approval for combinations, which is based on trust. Deals where the parties don’t have any “horizontal, vertical or complementary overlaps” in their activities are eligible for the fast-track approval, she said.

She also said the regulator has been seeking to ensure start-ups have the required space to grow in a market that also promotes innovation.