Corporate power and AI law Mattei and Medvedev debate

Jun 24

In a complete moderated exchange, Ugo Mattei argues that Western rule-of-law decline reflects corporate control over politicians, campaign finance and information, and predicts deeper technology-driven changes. Medvedev replies that states stand behind major companies and that corporations should not become subjects of international law. He favors international legal rules for technology while doubting a global AI convention is presently achievable. Mattei agrees that no new international legal actors are needed but contrasts what he describes as Western private ownership and wealth concentration with state control and public purposes in China and Russia. He calls Trump a corporate proxy; Medvedev adds his account of restrictions on Russians registering for Truth Social. The central disagreement about corporate and state power and their shared reservations about new legal subjects remain visible. No convention, regulatory settlement or ownership change is announced.

Responding to Mattei, Medvedev argues that states remain behind powerful firms and corporations should not become new subjects of international law. He favors legal rules and conventions for technology while doubting an international AI convention is attainable soon. At the close he repeats that corporate rules must not replace public or private international law and says individuals have not authorized firms to regulate their lives. His public-law preference and practical reservations are both retained; no convention is concluded.