Algorithms Collude: The New Antitrust Frontier
Related Episodes
AI Models Converge on Shared Representations of Reality
AI models trained on different data are developing similar internal representations, suggesting they may be grasping underlying realities beyond superficial patterns. This convergence offers a glimpse into AI's emergent understanding.
View Episode Notes →
Prioritizing Hard Tech "Good Quests" Over AI Hype
Focus on "good quests" in hard tech, not easy AI applications, to tackle essential, difficult problems and achieve true societal impact.
View Episode Notes →
Quantum Correlations Fuel Thermodynamic Work and Detect Quantumness
Quantum correlations fuel heat flow from cold to hot, enabling work that defies classical laws and verifying quantumness through thermodynamic measurements.
View Episode Notes →
Math's Silent Guardians: Protecting Digital Data From Noise
Unlock the secrets of error-correcting codes, the unsung digital guardians that silently protect your data from noise, ensuring every bit arrives intact, from CDs to quantum computing.
View Episode Notes →
Learned Directional Sense Relies on Dynamic Landmark Anchoring
Our sense of direction is a learned, dynamic system, not an innate compass. Getting lost is an opportunity to recalibrate, offering a distinct advantage for spatial awareness.
View Episode Notes →
Government Power Checks Corporate Giants for Fair Markets
Lina Khan argues government must actively check corporate power to ensure fair markets, protect consumers, and build an economy that truly benefits working people, countering fears of capital flight and overblown innovation claims.
View Episode Notes →Resources
Resources & Recommendations
Articles & Papers
- "The Game Theory of How Algorithms Can Drive Up Prices" by Ben Brubaker (Quanta Magazine) - This article explores how algorithms, even without malicious intent, can lead to increased prices for consumers.
People Mentioned
- Natalie Kolina (Graduate student from U Penn) - Co-author of the new research on algorithmic collusion.
- Eshwar Arunachalam (Graduate student from U Penn) - Co-author of the new research on algorithmic collusion.
- Tom Murphy VII (Programmer and recreational mathematician) - Creator of a delightful YouTube channel featuring quirky computer science and math-related videos.
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt (President of the United States) - His 1934 speech about the National Recovery Administration and the need for regulation to protect the economy was featured.
Organizations & Institutions
- Christie's - Mentioned as one of the two big players in high-end art auctions.
- Sotheby's - Mentioned as one of the two big players in high-end art auctions.
- U.S. Justice Department - Noticed and took action against the collusion between Christie's and Sotheby's in the 1990s.
- Quanta Magazine - The publication that hosts the podcast and where Ben Brubaker's article was published.
- Simons Foundation - Supports Quanta Magazine, an editorially independent publication.
- PRX Productions - Produces the Quanta Podcast.
Laws & Regulations
- Sherman Anti-Trust Act - U.S. law against collusion and anti-competitive practices.
Tools & Software
- RealPage - Software for landlords that was the subject of a high-profile lawsuit by the Justice Department due to alleged algorithmic collusion.
Websites & Online Resources
- Science Friday - A podcast recommended for surprising facts, expert insights, and tackling big questions.
- Tom Murphy VII's YouTube channel - Features weird videos about programming, recreational mathematics, and experimental projects like recutting Star Wars alphabetically.
Other Resources
- "Shapes That Can't Pass Through Each Other" (Quanta story) - A fun story that Tom Murphy VII contributed to.