Algorithmic Collusion is Algorithm Orchestration

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Carissimo, Cesare, Falniowski, Fryderyk, Rahimi, Siavash, Nax, Heinrich
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Carissimo, Cesare
Falniowski, Fryderyk
Rahimi, Siavash
Nax, Heinrich
author_facet Carissimo, Cesare
Falniowski, Fryderyk
Rahimi, Siavash
Nax, Heinrich
contents We propose a fresh `meta-game' perspective on the problem of algorithmic collusion in pricing games a la Bertrand. Economists have interpreted the fact that algorithms can learn to price collusively as tacit collusion. We argue instead that the co-parametrization of algorithms, in ways as are necessary to obtain algorithmic collusion, typically requires algorithm designers to engage in some form of explicit collusion or `algorithm orchestration.' In our model, the algorithm designers play a meta-game of parametrizing their algorithms, which then play repeated Bertrand competition. The strategic analysis at the meta-level reveals new equilibrium and collusion phenomena. (JEL: C62, C63, D43, L13)
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_14766
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Algorithmic Collusion is Algorithm Orchestration
Carissimo, Cesare
Falniowski, Fryderyk
Rahimi, Siavash
Nax, Heinrich
Theoretical Economics
Computer Science and Game Theory
We propose a fresh `meta-game' perspective on the problem of algorithmic collusion in pricing games a la Bertrand. Economists have interpreted the fact that algorithms can learn to price collusively as tacit collusion. We argue instead that the co-parametrization of algorithms, in ways as are necessary to obtain algorithmic collusion, typically requires algorithm designers to engage in some form of explicit collusion or `algorithm orchestration.' In our model, the algorithm designers play a meta-game of parametrizing their algorithms, which then play repeated Bertrand competition. The strategic analysis at the meta-level reveals new equilibrium and collusion phenomena. (JEL: C62, C63, D43, L13)
title Algorithmic Collusion is Algorithm Orchestration
topic Theoretical Economics
Computer Science and Game Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.14766