---
title: "Would AICOA Help or Hurt Innovation and Consumer Choice?"
summary: |-
  Join ITIF for a debate on the resolution: “AICOA undermines American innovation and choice.” Joseph Coniglio, Senior Counsel and Director of the Schumpeter Project on Competition Policy at ITIF, will argue in favor of the resolution, while Joel Thayer, President of the Digital Progress Institute, will argue against it.
date: "2026-07-23"
issues: ["Antitrust"]
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/events/2026/07/23/would-aicoa-help-or-hurt-innovation-and-consumer-choice/"
---

# Would AICOA Help or Hurt Innovation and Consumer Choice?

**Location:** Virtual Debate

The American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA) would change how major technology companies operate. Supporters argue the bill would boost competition, spur innovation, and expand consumer choice by preventing dominant platforms from favoring their own products and services. Critics counter that it would make it harder for companies to improve their products, weaken the integration of popular services, and ultimately reduce consumer benefits.

As debate over the future of competition policy continues, what impact would AICOA actually have on innovation, market competition, and the digital services consumers use every day?

Join ITIF for a debate on the resolution: “AICOA undermines American innovation and choice.” Joseph Coniglio, Senior Counsel and Director of the Schumpeter Project on Competition Policy at ITIF, will argue in favor of the resolution, while Joel Thayer, President of the Digital Progress Institute, will argue against it. The debate will be moderated by veteran technology journalist Nancy Scola.

Questions for the speakers? Ask on [Slido](https://app.sli.do/event/rhUrmSZPtGuhRn1hDiXFRb).

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/events/2026/07/23/would-aicoa-help-or-hurt-innovation-and-consumer-choice/*