1. Introduction
In August 2025, The Dialogue will host the 3rd Annual International Conference on ‘Competition Law in the Digital Age: Reflecting on Evolving Global Dynamics’. Building on its tradition of convening leading voices in the space, this year’s knowledge-sharing conference will bring together policymakers, regulators, academics, and global experts to drive discussions on the role of competition policy in light of evolving global dynamics.
Over the past year, the global discourse on competition policy has intensified significantly. Notably, the geopolitics of competition has become more complex, with strategic trade interests shaping regulatory approaches across jurisdictions. Further, AI has emerged as a central force, with countries deliberating on AI innovation in the context of competition policy. Meanwhile, long-proposed tools, such as settlements and commitments, and the introduction of Deal Value Threshold (DVT), are beginning to see real-world implementation.
In India, there has been a flurry of policy activity not only in the digital economy but also across non-tech sectors, signaling a broader shift in competition enforcement priorities. Amidst these rapid developments, it is crucial to pause, reflect on and contextualize these developments within the broader theoretical and practical foundations of competition policy.
2. Potential Themes
2.1. Tailoring competition policy approach to evolving geopolitical dynamics: As geopolitical tensions rise and global trade relations become more complex, countries are increasingly turning to industrial policy to protect strategic sectors and drive economic growth. This panel will explore how these shifts are influencing competition policy, which has traditionally focused on fair markets and consumer welfare. The discussion will explore the implications of emerging bilateral and multilateral trends for competition policies and enforcement.
2.2. Relevance of competition policy for AI innovation: AI is rapidly becoming a driver of both economic power and geopolitical influence. Countries are investing heavily in AI development and introducing policies to promote domestic innovation and AI sovereignty. Simultaneously, competition regulators are also considering potential antitrust concerns across the AI stack. Through this panel, we will explore how competition policy can support domestic AI goals, balancing innovation with regulatory oversight, thereby building a dynamic, competitive AI ecosystem.
2.3. Aligning existing competition policy with broader economic goals: In the last year, India has seen implementation of novel competition enforcement tools such as settlements framework and deal value thresholds. The panel will explore whether countries should focus on strengthening these tools instead of focusing on novel ex-ante laws like the Digital Competition Bill.
Further, we will discuss whether over-reliance on competition law to address broader market and policy gaps could risk displacing industrial and regulatory reforms. This discussion will assess how India and other countries can build effective, flexible, and future-ready competition frameworks without losing sight of their broader development goals.
We are pleased to acknowledge the support of three distinguished partners whose contributions are shaping this year’s discourse on digital markets, artificial intelligence, and the future of regulation:
- Digital Policy Alert (DPA) | Knowledge Partner
A comprehensive global repository monitoring over 10,000 digital economy policy interventions across 50+ jurisdictions. DPA enables evidence-based, cross-border dialogue on emerging regulatory trends. - CoRE-AI (Coalition for Responsible Evolution of AI) | Emerging Tech Partner
India’s premier multistakeholder initiative committed to fostering ethical, inclusive, and accountable AI governance through rigorous evidence-building, stakeholder consultation, and capacity development. - SCOPE Global Exchange | Outreach Partner
An international platform facilitating interdisciplinary dialogue at the intersection of policy, technology, law, and economics, with the aim of cultivating future-oriented regulatory frameworks.
