Marietje Schaake, a former Dutch member of the European parliament, is now the international policy director at Stanford University Cyber Policy Center and international policy fellow at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence. Her new book, “The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley,” delves into the power and political influence of big tech companies compared to previous big businesses.
In an interview, Schaake discussed the role of tech companies in various aspects of people’s lives, their influence on decision-making traditionally held by states, and the need for democratic governance and oversight in dealing with their power. She also highlighted the impact of Donald Trump’s presidency on tech interests, suggesting rocky times ahead.
Schaake pointed out the deliberate framing by tech companies that portrays governments as ill-equipped to handle tech issues, and how politicians have been hesitant to challenge big tech interests due to intimidation and lack of awareness. While some politicians like Elizabeth Warren have been vocal about addressing tech monopolies, there is a general lack of vision among leaders globally.
Schaake also discussed Brexit’s impact on the UK’s position with big tech, suggesting a deliberate choice to attract investment rather than a loss of sovereignty. She emphasized the need for people to recognize the loss of sovereignty in tech matters and the importance of taking action to address the growing influence of US tech companies globally.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
