Our People » Max von Thun
Max von Thun is the Director of Europe & Transatlantic Partnerships at the Open Markets Institute. He leads Open Markets’ research and advocacy in Europe alongside efforts to bring about greater alignment in transatlantic anti-monopoly policy and enforcement.
Von Thun’s work touches on a range of antitrust and competition issues in Europe, with a particular focus on technology and new legislative frameworks targeting Big Tech’s market power. Prior to joining Open Markets, von Thun advised UK Parliamentarians on economic policy, led the research program at think-tank the Centre for Entrepreneurs, and worked as a consultant on EU and UK technology and competition policy. He has written influential reports on a range of topics including AI regulation, the future of work, wealth taxation and small business policy. Von Thun’s writing has appeared in publications including the Guardian, the Times, Tech Policy Press and Euractiv. He is regularly quoted as an expert on European competition and technology issues in the media, including Politico, Reuters, Bloomberg, Wired and Time.
Von Thun holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and philosophy from the University of Southern California, and a master’s in international public policy from University College London. He originally hails from London, but these days calls Brussels home.
Europe director Max von Thun and CJL director Courtney Radsch along with EU Tech Policy Fellow Michelle Nie published an expert brief on how artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly monopolized by Big Tech firms due to high entry barriers and anticompetitive practices, posing risks to competition, privacy, security, innovation, and the environment. They prescribe a set of robust policy interventions to address the problems.
The Open Markets Institute shares deep regrets that the European Commission chose not to intervene in Nvidia’s acquisition of Run:ai.
The Open Markets Institute, alongside eight partner organizations, has made a detailed submission to the European Commission, urging it to fully investigate U.S. chipmaker Nvidia’s planned acquisition of workload management startup Run:ai.
Europe director Max von Thun is quoted praising the AI Act's intent while arguing that it fails to tackle AI's role in reinforcing Big Tech's dominance over society and democracy.
Senior legal analyst Daniel Hanley and Europe director Max von Thun co-author an article warning that the monopolization of AI by a few powerful corporations threatens innovation and democracy, urging immediate action to regulate and democratize the technology for the public good.
A recap of some of our important pieces from this year's body of work on AI.
Europe director Max von Thon urges the EU’s next Competition Commissioner to take bold action against corporate monopolies, especially in digital markets, and to establish a clear vision for fostering fair competition and innovation.
Europe director Max von Thun warns about the influence of the Draghi report and how it may guide the EU economic debate, but its green transition proposals face political hurdles in Europe's most right-leaning commission yet.
In this issue, we look at the lessons of the U.S. presidential election, and some next steps. We also explore how the EU’s AI strategy might concentrate even more power in the hands of Big Tech.
Europe director Max von Thun explains that under President Biden, the EU feels more empowered to regulate big tech aggressively, as the U.S. is pursuing similar antitrust measures, marking a shift from the cautious approach during prior administrations.