Episode Summaries
Episode 1: The AI stack
In the first episode, the panel discusses the different layers of the AI stack and examines how competition is evolving across the AI ecosystem, as well as the key concerns raised by competition authorities and academics.
Episode 2: Mergers and acquisitions
In the second episode, the panel explores emerging forms of AI-related transactions, including minority investments, licensing agreements and acqui-hires, and assesses the challenges they pose for merger control enforcement.
Episode 3: Abuse of dominance – Article 102 TFEU
In the third episode, the panel examines how traditional and emerging theories of harm under Article 102 TFEU apply to AI markets, with a particular focus on self-preferencing and the conduct of major digital platforms.
Episode 4: Regulation: Digital Markets Act and Data Act
In the fourth episode, the panel discusses how the Digital Markets Act and the Data Act address AI and cloud computing services, focusing on issues such as market access, interoperability, portability and lock-in.
Episode 5: AI-driven futures
In the fifth episode, the panel considers the long-term impact of AI on legal practice, academia and the wider knowledge economy, while exploring different approaches to sharing the benefits generated by AI.
Episode 6: Digital sovereignty
In the sixth episode, the panel explores the growing debate on European digital sovereignty, analysing initiatives aimed at reducing digital dependency and the interplay between competition law, foreign investment regulation and industrial policy.
General disclaimer
The views, opinions and insights expressed throughout this podcast are the individual speakers’ own and do not necessarily represent the views of the LIDC nor any of the organisations, companies, institutions or entitites with whom the speakers may be affiliated or the clients they represent. The content shared in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The LIDC and the speakers are not offering professional advice, and listeners should seek professional guidance when necessary.
This podcast was recorded on 5 June 2026. The views and opinions expressed therein reflect the legal context and state of affairs up to that date. Any subsequent changes in the law or relevant developments may not be reflected in this discussion. We encourage listeners to seek out the latest information for the most current legal perspectives.
Speakers’ biography:
Ben Evans
Ben Evans is a Guest Researcher at NASAMER, Koç University Law School and a Postgraduate Researcher at UEA Law School and Centre for Competition Policy. His research explores the interplay between information technology, intellectual property, and competition law, with a particular focus on the development of legal and regulatory frameworks governing data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Ben is a member of the Scientific Committee of the LIDC, Scientific Officer of the LIDC Nex Gen, and a member of the Competition Law Association.
Elodie Vandenhende
A former French and New York-qualified lawyer, Elodie Vandenhende began her career at an international law firm before joining the cabinet of Economy and Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, where she served as an adviser on European affairs for three years. She subsequently led cases relating to restrictive competitive practices against major digital platforms on behalf of the French government. In 2018, she joined the French Competition Authority as Special Adviser to its President. Since 2021, she has served as Deputy Head of its Digital Economy Unit, where she has co-authored several reports on AI, including a 2025 study on the competition issues surrounding the energy and environmental impact of AI and a 2026 Opinion on the competitive functioning of the AI agents sector.
Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams is Head of Community at Legora, the collaborative AI work platform for lawyers. A barrister, former Crown Prosecutor, and former Head of Legal Ops, he has been based in Paris since 2009. He opened the French market for Legora and then worked as part of the Legal Engineering team. He now builds Legora’s community programs for lawyers.
Florent Barbu
Florent Barbu is Counsel at Simmons & Simmons in Paris, where he has spent nearly 15 years practising competition law across both advisory and contentious matters. He advises clients on traditional antitrust issues as well as foreign investment screening, with particular expertise in the digital economy: platform regulation, the Digital Markets Act, Fintech and consumer-facing activities. He also has strong experience handling competition investigations and follow-on litigation, including private damages actions. He has a keen interest in fast-evolving sectors, and in testing them against both traditional and emerging concepts of competition law and sector-specific regulation.
