DOJ Antitrust Chief Warns Companies Against Using AI as Misleading Merger Defense

The US Department of Justice's antitrust head Omeed Assefi warned companies against trying to use artificial intelligence disruption as a defense in merger reviews without providing evidence. Speaking at New York University, Assefi said: 'We know you will be tempted to tell us that AI is replacing your industries. We get it. We hear that a lot. For us to take it seriously, we expect it to be backed up with actual evidence.' Assefi oversees the DOJ's merger review division and said merging parties are welcome to engage with the division at any point, but misleading the department will not be tolerated.