Technology

Only if regulatory bodies do something about it.

Wouldn’t this just be selling security?

You would enter the SCA if you want to secure your supply chain against the risk of inflated pricing. The risk would now be overspending if the market drops. Comparing the two risk profiles, an organization might decide that they have more stomach for overpaying a set amount over 5 years. As opposed, of course, to the risk of paying an arbitrarily expensive amount indefinitely as the market remains volatile.

So now, while planning out the next 5 years of business objectives, you can plan against a much more solid best/worst case scenario. That minimized uncertainty, which lets the business keep moving even if at a more expense pace.

its price fixing if the agreement is among 'competitors' - this is price fixing for a customer(s)

Yes, but it's AI, and Peter Thiel have bought all the politicians he could, so they will let them get away to "gain an advantage against China in AI".

If there’s some collusion, sure, but you’d have to find a government body with the will and teeth to prosecute.

Nothing really against charging whatever you feel like outside of things like certain supplies during disasters. It’s shitty