AG Slater Advocates for Antitrust Laws to Safeguard Information Flow
In a speech on Thursday, Attorney General Gail Slater asserted that the nation’s first antitrust law could be instrumental in maintaining a free flow of information within American democracy, while also arguing that artificial intelligence (AI) is devoid of bias.
Slater delivered her keynote address at the Fordham Institute for Competition Law’s 52nd Annual Conference, which addressed the intersection of competition, the rapidly evolving industry, and freedom of speech.
The Attorney General emphasized her role in implementing the administration’s competitive policies, stating that America’s antitrust laws are designed to empower “the forgotten men and women of America.”
She highlighted that both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have prioritized AI in their policy initiatives. “We will prioritize innovation, support new technologies and startups, and keep the market open for competition,” she said, noting that these factors have historically contributed to Silicon Valley’s success and the broader American economy.
Having previously worked with Vance in the Senate, Slater referenced his speech in Paris earlier this year.
In her remarks, she cautioned that AI could lead to a troubling “concentration of control,” a concern echoed by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 2021. However, she affirmed that effective competition policies could combat this concentration and promote a “free flow of information.”
Slater stated, “Recently, our antitrust division has rejected the notion that antitrust laws are irrelevant in preserving a competitive news market. Instead, these laws can illustrate behaviors that prevent diverse perspectives from entering the arena. The same principle applies to AI. Facilitating competition in the AI market allows for differing approaches to vie for merit. A diverse array of AI systems and products ensures that consumers have options and protects the free flow of information crucial to our democracy. There are various viewpoints that can flourish in the marketplace of ideas.”
Overall, Slater believes there is a substantial framework of antitrust laws available to drive competition and innovation, setting the stage for what she terms the next golden age of AI. “We remain committed to advocating for the competitive environment necessary to bolster American innovation and AI oversight, and we will be active participants in our administration’s AI strategy going forward.”
