Ep 79: Computational Antitrust: Can Algorithms Catch Algorithms?

this episode of In Conversation with IPR and Competition Law, we are joined by Dr. Alba Ribera Martínez — PhD, Lecturer in Digital Markets Regulation and Competition Law, Editor-in-Chief at Stanford Computational Antitrust, and contributor at The Binary Agora — for a deep dive into one of the most fascinating frontiers of modern competition law: Computational Antitrust.As algorithms increasingly shape pricing, recommendations, market visibility, and platform behaviour, competition enforcement itself is entering a new technological era. This episode explores whether computational tools and AI-driven enforcement mechanisms can effectively detect anti-competitive conduct in digital markets — and whether algorithms can truly “catch” algorithms.The conversation examines the rise of AI-powered market systems, tacit algorithmic collusion, self-preferencing by digital platforms, transparency concerns in automated enforcement, and the growing divide between technologically advanced regulators and developing competition authorities.