Most people think merger enforcement is decided in court.
The data show a different pattern.
Across the United States and the European Union, an increasing share of challenged mergers resolve before a judge ever rules. Transactions are withdrawn, abandoned, or restructured through negotiated remedies long before litigation concludes.
This shift is changing the role of economists—and artificial intelligence is accelerating it.
In Episode 1 of the Age of AI series, we examine the following:
• Why merger decisions are moving earlier in the review process
• How economists are becoming strategic advisors rather than litigation specialists
• How AI helps firms anticipate regulatory concerns
• Why better economic analysis can lead to faster and more informed decisions
• What this means for the future of competition policy
Whether you’re an economist, lawyer, regulator, student, or simply interested in AI and competition policy, this episode provides an accessible introduction to one of the biggest changes occurring in modern merger enforcement.
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