1. Competition, Regulation, The Digital Marketplace Session: Disruptive Technologies and Economic Regulations
Dr. Derek Ireland : Policy Consultant and Lecturer
Carleton University Ottawa

2. Purpose and Main Argument of Presentation and Paper
Bring a behavioral lens to the management, governance and regulation of the
“Super wicked problem” of the increasingly crowded and complex digital economy and marketplace
Main argument: “Wicked” competition, IP, privacy, other regulatory issues posed by the digital economy
Require behaviorally informed regulatory approaches and instruments that are
Responsive, reflexive, inclusive, collaborative, polycentric, innovative and “wickedly good”
And both capture and go beyond the best aspects of “optimal evidence-based regulation”

3. Many Actors in Crowded Digital Marketplace
Algorithmic Consumers transacting with Algorithmic Suppliers and Robo-Sellers
Government and Non-government Digital Intermediaries/Regulators
“Algorithmic Educators” and Digital Governance of Public Education
Platform Cooperatives
Conventional Companies using algorithms, robots, artificial intelligence etc. in many sectors
Expanding number of final consumers and other buyers and market actors
Exiting from conventional regulated markets

4. Complex and Unfamiliar Problems for Competition, IP, Privacy, Other Regulations
Market concentration and expanding market and political power over products, markets, information, technologies, and governments
Major information asymmetries: New forms of price, fee, and product attribute complexity, confusion and deception leading to
New forms of collusion, other anticompetitive conduct
Information barriers, protected and proprietary nature of many applications, complex IP issues
Personal privacy and security

5. Complex and Unfamiliar Problems Continued
Undisclosed biases and self-interest of designers, operators and users
Poorly designed and operated algorithms
Extending too much faith, confidence and trust to
Algorithmic consumers and suppliers, digital intermediaries, platform cooperatives, other forms of artificial intelligence (AI)
Conflicting government roles, responsibilities, and functions
Leading to legitimate concerns regarding whether
Conventional policies, laws, regulations and regulators will be effective

6. Wicked Nature of Digital Marketplace Requires
More inclusive, collaborative, polycentric, shared accountability and principles-based regulatory regimes
With enhanced roles for
Knowledgeable, well-resourced civil society groups
Demanding, well-informed and proactive consumer and corporate leaders
Collaborative standards and voluntary codes of conduct
Better protection for whistleblowers
Cooperation across regulatory authorities
Heightened non-price competition driven by
Product quality, informed choice, consumer autonomy and privacy, ethical norms and conduct by all actors

7. Possible Issues for Discussion
Wicked characteristics of digital markets
And their implications for regulators, other actors, and evidence-based optimal regulation
Finding the right balance between consumer benefits, costs and risks
Implications for and possible responses of regulators in developing and emerging market economies
Thank You For Your Kind Attention