Kedharnath Sankararaman

Tech (AI, Competition, Standards) Policy Lawyer | Policy Counsel at Association for Competitive Technology @actonline

[Kedharnath Sankararaman @KedharDC]

Yesterday, I had the privilege of moderating @actonline packed Hill lunch briefing on #AICOA and small-business growth.

Thank you to @morganwreed for keynote remarks and to @JosephVConiglio , @melugin_p , K.J. Bagchi, and Chris Grimm for a great panel discussion.

[Competitive Enterprise Institute @ceidotorg]

Join @actonline & @melugin_p at 12:15pm TODAY for a discussion of AICOA 👇

[Association For Competitive Technology (ACT) @actonline]

In today’s AI ecosystem, a slow regulatory review is a death sentence for American small business innovation.

In 2025, U.S. M&A reviews dragged out to a historic average of 12.3 months. For tech breakthroughs—which face obsolescence within months—this timing is devastating.

Acquisitions are the primary exit path for over 90% of venture-backed startups. When regulators run out the clock, they starve the small businesses driving competition.

Read our new report, "M&A Review in the AI Era," to see why America needs faster, more predictable merger guidelines to keep our tech edge. 👇
https://t.co/i1uMFPRQZY

[Kedharnath Sankararaman @KedharDC]

“The Unitary Executive doctrine and President Trump is a marriage made in hell.”

https://t.co/wFR5j7t90T

[Kedharnath Sankararaman @KedharDC]

Full coalition letter here: https://t.co/G1beBIawgY

[Kedharnath Sankararaman @KedharDC]

A coalition led by @actonline is urging California to reject AB 1776, the COMPETE Act.

@GDufault: "AB 1776 would replace predictable competition rules with an uncertain, litigation-driven framework..."

#antitrust #AB1776

https://t.co/UqInIUIOUh

[Kedharnath Sankararaman @KedharDC]

Next Thursday.

AICOA is back. Join @actonline on the Hill to unpack it w/
@JosephVConiglio from @ITIFdc
@melugin_p from @ceidotorg
K.J. Bagchi from @ProgressChamber &
Chris Grimm from @DevsAlliance

July 2, 12:15pm. Rayburn 2237.

https://t.co/qftXanhvYr

[SIIA Public Policy @SIIAPolicy]

California’s reputation as a global hub for innovation and economic growth is under serious threat because of AB 1776 (The COMPETE Act). We have joined a broad coalition of voices in strongly opposing this bill (https://t.co/C4pPXJgdiZ))

[Competitive Enterprise Institute @ceidotorg]

CEI joins Association for Competitive Technology in opposition to proposed antitrust framework in AB 1776.

[Association For Competitive Technology (ACT) @actonline]

@morganwreed is making his @the535news debut today at 12:40pm ET...tune in when he talks with @BrodyMullinsDC about a few of @actonline member priorities and what we're watching in Congress.

Tune in at 12:40pm ET: https://t.co/F2BXQpbB3l

[Kedharnath Sankararaman @KedharDC]

Today, @actonline joined a broad coalition urging CA lawmakers to oppose AB 1776.

The bill would create a vague antitrust framework that risks more uncertainty for startups, small developers, and the digital ecosystems they rely on to compete.

https://t.co/G1beBIawgY

[Information Technology and Innovation Foundation @ITIFdc]

🚨 LIVE: AICOA would make it harder for leading US firms to innovate, integrate services, and compete in the global tech race.

@JosephVConiglio, @GDufault, @RonnaMcDaniel, @ppi's Diana Moss, & @jack_g_nicastro discuss what’s at stake. Tune in now ⤵️ https://t.co/b2Zxz4UMxJ

[Association For Competitive Technology (ACT) @actonline]

What happens in California rarely stays in California.

The recently introduced COMPETE Act (AB 1776) claims to help small businesses but actually places a dark legal cloud over startup growth by outlawing ordinary product design and platform integration features.

Read @KedharDC's take on the COMPETE Act: https://t.co/ukW6QuYakO

[Neil Chilson ⤴️⬆️🆙📈 🚀 @neil_chilson]

So, reading from the developments of the past few days, it's reasonable to expect that the EO framework process will be seen as:

- even if voluntary to join, difficult to leave.
- phase three "collaboration" will look a whole lot like requiring government approval to share a model.
- non-compliance risks substantial potential penalties, including export controls that practically shut down a public model release.

[Information Technology and Innovation Foundation @ITIFdc]

AICOA could undermine American tech leadership without delivering meaningful benefits for competition.

This Thursday, @JosephVConiglio, @GDufault, @RonnaMcDaniel, @ppi's Diana Moss & @jack_g_nicastro will discuss its likely consequences.

Register ASAP ⤵️ https://t.co/w0QcoNauXM

[Kedharnath Sankararaman @KedharDC]

Last week, I moderated an @actonline webinar on California's AB 1776, the COMPETE Act.

We had an excellent panel with @JosephVConiglio, @SatyaMarar, Bilal Sayyed, and Ben Golombek on it.

Watch here: https://t.co/qyXmOHveWf

[Shashi Tharoor @ShashiTharoor]

Deeply shocking to read this official US statement, which contains absolutely no expression of regret or condolence for the loss of innocent Indian lives. How can a “friend” and strategic partner be so deeply insensitive?

Why couldn’t a non-compliant commercial vessel have been stopped using other, non-lethal means? Is it not possible to disable a ship's propulsion or steering without firing missiles targeted to kill civilian crew members?

Practically every merchant ship navigating these crucial waters has Indian crew on board. Are they all considered fair game for US missiles now?

This approach is unacceptable and I hope @DrSJaishankar had said so to @marcorubio.

[Adan @durreadan01]

About Siri AI and EU:

1. Your data (gallery, messages, email, call logs, notes, files, and much more) is indexed for personal context, and that info is stored on your iPhone.

2. When you use Siri AI, the request is either handled on-device or in cloud using PCC. It’s never stored or logged on Apple’s servers. Apple does not have access to it.

Now, according to Apple, here’s what EU wants:

“According to EU regulators, the DMA requires Apple to give any AI system nearly unlimited access to a user’s device, as well as the ability to act on that access autonomously without a user’s ongoing visibility and control. That includes the ability to read and send messages, make purchases, access files, and execute actions across any app.”

What EU is asking is scary dangerous. And apparently they have rejected all the solutions proposed by Apple.

And, as hinted by Joz, “We will NOT compromise on privacy and security”, Apple is likely not going to give up, so EU users are likely not going to get Siri AI anytime soon.

[Graham Dufault @GDufault]

American Innovation & Choice Online Act (AICOA) was just reintro'd, drawing wide-ranging opposition from a coalition led by @actonline and @ITIFdc.

Nice coverage of my stmt by @CompPolicyInt: AICOA prohibits broad categories of conduct that benefits small biz, just like #DMA

[Herbert hovenkamp @Sherman1890]

The American Innovation and Choice Online Act, which failed to be enacted during the Biden Administration, was proposed anew today. My thoughts in "The Monopoly Problem" are here: https://t.co/JwGrSUXC4K