AI companies are merging or collaborating to even out the gap in access to vital datasets

Some recent mergers, acquisitions and investments in the business world have highlighted the strategic value of data to companies. These businesses are not just buying assets or market share – they are also acquiring or investing in large, complementary datasets. This process is known in the business world as horizontal integration.

This integration can drive innovation and provide competitive advantages. It can also open up new revenue streams. Some examples include Microsoft’s acquisitions of LinkedIn and GitHub as well as Amazon’s acquisitions of WholeFoods and the Washington Post. Then there has been Discovery Communications’ merger with Warner Brothers, IBM’s investment in Hugging Face and Google’s investment in Anthropic.

As the last two examples illustrate, data is extremely important for AI companies. It’s vital for “training”, or improving, AI systems. Training AI systems on large, new, varied data sets allows companies to develop more advanced, more powerful AI systems.

But against the background of this scramble, there is also a growing consensus that some form of regulation is needed to address the ethical, safety and fairness concerns associated with AI.

But regulating AI presents a unique set of challenges. This is mainly due to its foundation on intangible elements such as software and algorithms. These elements can be easily modified, replicated and distributed across borders with few physical traces. This helps them evade traditional regulatory mechanisms that rely on controlling physical goods or specific locations.

Yet a promising approach to regulating AI is one that would focus on controlling access to the very data that is the lifeblood of AI development. Since data is behind the rise of horizontal integration as well as fuelling the growth and sophistication of AI systems, its concentration in the hands of a few entities can lead to monopolistic dominance. In short, it gives too much power to too few companies.

Antitrust model

To mitigate this, regulatory frameworks could be designed that resemble existing antitrust laws – but focused around data aggregation. They would help ensure a diverse and competitive landscape in the access to data. By preventing any single company from amassing an overwhelming data advantage, these regulations would aim to foster a more balanced field. Innovation must be allowed to thrive without being stifled by monopolistic control.

To properly achieve this outcome, we suggest that regulators need to look at limiting horizontal integration. As AI technologies continue to evolve and the demand for diverse and extensive datasets grows, companies will increasingly be motivated to pursue horizontal integration.

This trend towards integration not only consolidates data assets but also potentially reduces competition, as fewer companies come to control larger shares of valuable data. Therefore, regulatory scrutiny of such mergers and acquisitions becomes essential to ensure a competitive landscape where data does not become excessively concentrated in a few hands.

It’s important to note that the trend towards horizontal integration is already moderated to some extent by regulatory and ethical considerations, particularly around data privacy and existing antitrust laws. These considerations play a critical role in shaping the extent and nature of integration.

The benefits of more data

When organisations integrate horizontally, they access a more comprehensive pool of data, filling gaps present in individual datasets. This amalgamation not only improves the reliability and accuracy of data but also broadens the perspective, offering deeper insights that are crucial for making informed decisions.

For instance, in merging customer demographic data with purchase history, companies can gain a more nuanced understanding of consumer behaviour. This is invaluable in today’s customer-centric market landscape.

Horizontal integration for AI aligns helps modern companies with their operational efficiency. Companies with similar markets or customer bases can optimise their processes based on richer, more comprehensive data insights.

This leads to improved efficiency in data collection and analysis. This is because making use of existing complementary datasets is more efficient and cost-effective than generating new data from scratch. Companies that successfully use combined datasets can better understand and predict customer needs and market trends. This advantage is especially important in industries where innovation and adaptability are key to survival and growth.

A balancing act

Despite the benefits for companies, the potential harm to market competition and consumer welfare from data consolidation necessitates a response. Centralising extensive datasets under dominant entities can potentially marginalise smaller competitors and stifle market diversity.

It also poses privacy concerns and amplifies the risk of market manipulation, diminishing consumer choice and impeding innovation. The potential benefits of data consolidation for customers include enhanced product offerings and personalised services. It is crucial that regulatory frameworks adopt a “rule of reason” approach. They would diligently scrutinise these activities under merger laws or abuse of dominance laws. This ensures a balanced market ecosystem, mitigates potential harm and safeguards competition and consumer interests.

In conclusion, the argument for horizontal integration in the age of AI is compelling. The synthesis of complementary datasets through such integration offers enhanced data quality, improved AI and machine learning capabilities. It provides operational efficiencies and strategic market advantages.

But we must take a balanced approach, weighing the benefits of integration against the ethical implications and regulatory compliance. The future of business in the AI era will likely be characterised by a continued trend towards strategic integration, shaping the way companies operate and compete.

If left unchecked, horizontal integration will concentrate the power of data in the hands of a few. This which will raise safety concerns and is likely to inhibit competition. But regulation based around antitrust principles – where an organisation steps in to prevent companies from behaving in ways that exclude competitors – could help prevent this.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.