KBSU Hosts Discussion on International Experience with AI in Antitrust Regulation
Kabardino-Balkarian State University (KBSU) hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference titled «Artificial Intelligence in Antitrust Regulation: International Experience.» Specialists from the antimonopoly service, public figures, representatives of the academic community and the Parliament of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, as well as faculty and students, gathered to discuss the challenges, prospects, and risks associated with digital transformation and to find common ground between cutting-edge technologies and the legal regulation of market relations.
The conference was organized at the initiative of the Federal Antimonopoly Service Directorate for the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, with the support of the KBSU Institute of Law, Economics, and Finance.
Khuseyn Kushkhov, KBSU Vice-Rector for External Relations, addressed the participants on behalf of the university:
«The conference topic touches upon the intersection of several key areas of modern development: digital transformation, artificial intelligence, economics, and law. Artificial intelligence is actively reshaping approaches to analyzing economic processes, enabling the processing of vast datasets and the detection of violations of competition law. New challenges are emerging for the state, the business sector, and the academic community—such as ensuring competition in digital markets and preventing AI-driven abuses. Exchanging experience among representatives from different countries and academic schools is essential for developing new solutions within the digital economy. The university views its role not merely as a provider of knowledge, but also as a platform for professional dialogue and the development of innovative approaches. I wish all participants a productive session and the generation of interesting ideas!» Ruslan Dzhalyukov, Deputy Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russia, highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence across all sectors of modern society, including antitrust regulation:
«The FAS of Russia is keeping pace with the times: antitrust legislation and enforcement practices are being refined, and modern technologies are being integrated into the agency’s operations. The Service has developed a number of information systems, including the ‘Anti-Cartel’ State Information System, the status of which was formally established effective August 1, 2025. The system aims to enhance oversight efficiency, curb unfair practices in procurement and auctions, and create more transparent conditions for legitimate businesses. Since the beginning of 2026, 65% of cases have been initiated with the help of this system. None of these changes would have been possible without high-quality scientific support and expert analysis. I am confident that the results of these discussions will find practical application in the Service’s work.»
Ruslan Apshev, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy of the Parliament of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, represented the republic’s legislative branch and emphasized the importance of overseeing rapidly evolving technologies:
«Issues related to artificial intelligence should currently be a top priority. AI is developing rapidly. Experts and scientists worldwide agree that measures must now be taken to oversee it. We must keep our finger on the pulse. I would especially like to address young people: always approach new trends in science and all other fields with care and thoughtfulness. Skilled professionals are always in demand. I wish everyone a productive session.» Zalimkhan Nagoyev, Director General of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and Candidate of Technical Sciences, shared his vision regarding the future of human-machine interaction:
«The effectiveness of AI systems has already been proven in practice, yet new challenges are emerging. In particular, according to informal classifications, AI is gradually transitioning from ‘weak’ to universal, and then to general, strong, and super-intelligence. This raises questions regarding the social and legal agency of AI systems and their liability for actions in areas such as procurement or cartel formation—since intelligent agents are already capable of participating in these activities independently. This conference is a leading, flagship event for our North Caucasus region and aligns with the national leadership’s imperatives for scientific and technological development.»
Conference moderator Anna Kumakhova—Head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Regional Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) and Head of the Department of Competition Law and Antimonopoly Regulation at Kabardino-Balkarian State University (KBSU)—emphasized the importance of the link between science, practice, and education:
«I would like to express my gratitude to our host venue, KBSU. It provides a constant opportunity to share modern developments and practices—both from within the Russian Federation and internationally—with students, graduate students, and colleagues. I would also like to extend special thanks to the members of the Public Council; the proposals they submit to the central office are subsequently incorporated into recommendations and legislative acts.
For the students present, I would like to clarify: the work of the antimonopoly service is about ensuring fair competition. We monitor the situation to guarantee that consumers have equal rights and choices and goods and services at affordable prices. The economy and global relations are evolving, and it is crucial for you—as students—to understand these trends so that you can develop yourselves and our country by applying the unique knowledge you are gaining today from leading scholars.”
The plenary session was opened by Sergey Maksimov, director of the Antimonopoly Regulation Department at the Eurasian Economic Commission, a professor, Doctor of Law, and Honored Lawyer of the Russian Federation. He presented an initiative project on the use of AI technologies to prevent and curb violations of common competition rules within the EAEU.
According to Sergey Maksimov, the volume of data in the digital environment is so vast that manual analysis is becoming ineffective. The proposal is to use AI as an analytical tool to automate routine tasks: rapidly scanning markets, identifying price anomalies, tracking suspicious patterns in public procurement, and monitoring companies’ public statements. The primary goal is to shift from reacting to violations that have already occurred to proactive, preemptive work.
During the conference, participants discussed a wide range of relevant topics, including:
– “AI as a driver of marketing transformation: challenges for antimonopoly enforcement”;
– “Implementing AI tools in analytical and expert activities”;
– “AI application in antimonopoly regulation: risks to competition and opportunities for regulators”;
– “Philosophical aspects of AI usage”;
– “Artificial intelligence as a tool for unfair competition: issues regarding the protection of means of individualization”;
– “AI in antimonopoly regulation: the end of the story or the start of a new chapter”;
– “Practical application of AI in the work of government bodies”;
– “GIS ‘Anticartel’: automating the analysis of signs of cartel activity,” and many others. The conference was a pivotal event that brought together theoretical insight and practical experience to develop new approaches to market regulation in the era of the rapid development of neural networks and intelligent systems.