Juan T. on LinkedIn: Judge rules that Google ‘is a monopolist’ in US antitrust case (2024)

With the rise of generative AI in search, I'm pondering the implications for Google. Over the past 15+ years, Google has dominated the search market (>90%), but the landscape is rapidly evolving with search moving towards AI chatbots beyond Google. This shift raises questions about how it will impact Google's enterprise platform and other services. #AI #Google #SearchIndustry

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Regardless of the which side of the coin your on, this ruling will undoubtedly create massive changes in #SearchMarketing. Should Google be broken up, similar to the break up of AT&T in the 80's, marketers need to be prepare for new innovations and capabilities to integrate into search capabilities. Expect #AI to speed up integration and new capabilities coming to market. We're undoubtedly in interesting times as #marketers.

Google’s Search Antitrust Case Is Also About the Future of AI https://lnkd.in/eQqeJSHmExtracts The most noteworthy testimony so far came from Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella. Called to the witness stand Oct. 2, he told a tale of futility with Bing. After $100 billion in investment, no amount of negotiation would get Apple Inc. to make Bing the default search engine on the iPhone, Nadella said, noting that hardly anyone changes the defaults. “It would be a big game-changer.”Microsoft is intimately familiar with the implications of antitrust, but its own experience also shows how fast fortunes can change in technology. A key question is whether Google’s current advantage will give it a leg up in the AI market, which could be as big a moneymaker as search — if not bigger.The two areas have some overlap. Many AI systems are trained on vast amounts of information scrounged from the web. From that dog pile they mimic human language to mold a plausible answer to a question and engage in conversation. A good search engine can offer some of the building blocks for a good AI product.Nadella said he worries about a rival locking up information for its AI. Instead of paying to be a phone’s default, Google could, say, pay Wikipedia for exclusive access to its content. “We’re beginning to see some dynamics which are troubling,” Nadella said.But it’s tough to make an antitrust case based on what-ifs. Other testimony focused on how the default setting guides people’s choices today and how it handicaps rivals. Sridhar Ramaswamy, a former head of Google’s ad business, co-founded a competing search startup called Neeva Inc. He said he thought a subscription search engine might fly, but that an economic slowdown and Google’s paid-for placement on smartphones spelled doom for the company.Google lawyers have tried to punch holes in the default-is-king argument. Under questioning, Nadella conceded that even after Bing won default status on mobile devices from Verizon Communications Inc. and other companies, most users still went to Google.The point is crucial because the Justice Department has accused Google of unlawfully maintaining a monopoly by paying $10 billion a year to phone makers and wireless carriers to maintain its default position.Even before the trial, Google claimed it’s the choice for most users of Windows computers, where Bing comes installed as the first option, said David Olson, an associate professor who teaches antitrust at Boston College Law School. “That goes to the argument that defaults don’t really matter,” Olson said. “People are picking the superior product.”

Even the basic assertion that Google possesses a monopoly on search is no longer a slam-dunk case in light of the evolution of digital markets in the past decade. Internet users—younger users in particular—increasingly usesocial media platformsto search the internet. Generative artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, representsanother threatto traditional search, especially as it integrates with rival search engines like Bing. And retail rivals like Amazonhave dominatedGoogle in product searches for many years now. Josh Withrow #ai #artificialintelligence #techpolicy #google #publicpolicy

This is a good write up on the current on going case between the DoJ and Google. It will be interesting to see what direction technology and governance is going to go in the next few years, especially with AI at the forefront.

Google's Antitrust Battle: What's at StakeGoogle, the internet's search giant, is in the midst of a high-stakes antitrust showdown. Here's the essence of what's on the line:Monopoly Concerns: Regulators are concerned about Google's dominance in search and advertising, which could stifle competition and harm smaller businesses.Potential Consequences: If found guilty, Google may face fines, altered business practices, or even a breakup. This could reshape the tech industry.Impact on Users: Changes could lead to more competition, better services, and improved data privacy for internet users.Broader Implications: This case sets a precedent for future actions against tech giants, influencing the digital landscape we navigate daily.In short, this antitrust battle has far-reaching implications, shaping the future of the internet as we know it.#googleads #googleanalytics

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It's going to take a while to parse a 277-page opinion.But the quickest take is that it didn't require new antitrust laws or Digital Markets Act style regulation for DOJ to bring this case.Of course, in the time it took to file this case, litigate it, and reach a decision on liability (but not yet remedies - that will be a whole separate phase of the trial) - OpenAI, which has been funded to the tune of billions of dollars by Microsoft - has managed to launch an entirely new way to search and interact with information - ChatGPT.In June, Apple announced that it will be partnering with OpenAI to power its Apple Intelligence product. And less than two weeks ago, OpenAI announced SearchGPT.A few months ago, I had jury duty at the federal courthouse in DC, where Judge Mehta sits. I was struck by the fact that there were displays in the halls of the courthouse on the Microsoft and AT&T cases. There is a clear sense of "making history" around antitrust cases in that particular building, and the early headlines around this case suggest that DOJ feels like they made some today.This case, and the law that is ultimately made once it works its way through appeals process, may indeed be historic.But it's hard not to look at the technological changes well underway and think that they will make an even bigger impact.Google Violated Antitrust Laws in Online Search, Judge Rules https://lnkd.in/eVzCmzij

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🤔 What Google's Legal Loss Means for AI and InnovationThe tech world is buzzing with the recent landmark ruling against Google. In my latest article, I dive deep into how this antitrust ruling could reshape the landscape for AI development, foster innovation, and create new opportunities for emerging players.From potential shifts in search engine AI to the democratization of digital advertising, the ripple effects of this decision are far-reaching. I explore how increased competition might accelerate AI advancements and what it means for privacy, data protection, and the future of online services.Curious about how this ruling might impact your work in tech or AI? Read my full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/eepRPSi6I'm eager to hear your thoughts. How do you think this decision will affect innovation in our industry? Share your perspective in the comments!#TechIndustry #AIInnovation #GoogleAntitrust #DigitalFuture #TechRegulation #AIDevelopment #SearchEngineEvolution #CompetitiveInnovation

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🤔 What Google's Legal Loss Means for AI and InnovationThe tech world is buzzing with the recent landmark ruling against Google. In my latest article, I dive deep into how this antitrust ruling could reshape the landscape for AI development, foster innovation, and create new opportunities for emerging players.From potential shifts in search engine AI to the democratization of digital advertising, the ripple effects of this decision are far-reaching. I explore how increased competition might accelerate AI advancements and what it means for privacy, data protection, and the future of online services.Curious about how this ruling might impact your work in tech or AI? Read my full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/ewVw3JM3I'm eager to hear your thoughts. How do you think this decision will affect innovation in our industry? Share your perspective in the comments!#TechIndustry #AIInnovation #GoogleAntitrust #DigitalFuture #TechRegulation #AIDevelopment #SearchEngineEvolution #CompetitiveInnovation