The New Tech World Order

For most of our history, the realm of international relations was dominated by nation-states. They waged wars and signed treaties through the framework of governance. But today, more so than ever before, tech titans are acting as unilateral decision makers, upsetting the balance and structure of global power around the world.

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Host
  • Gabrielle Sierra
    Director, Podcasting
Credits

Asher Ross - Supervising Producer

Markus Zakaria - Audio Producer and Sound Designer

Molly McAnany - Associate Podcast Producer

Episode Guests
  • Adam Segal
    Ira A. Lipman Chair in Emerging Technologies and National Security and Director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program
  • Rana Foroohar
    Deputy Editor, U.S. and International Editions, Newsweek

Show Notes

For what seems like decades, everyone has been talking about emerging technology, whether it’s artificial intelligence wiping out job sectors or investment in renewables and electric vehicles. But today, big technology firms, including Meta and Microsoft, increasingly behave like sovereigns in the digital world—and companies such as SpaceX are beginning to do so in the physical one. These technologies are oftentimes championed by the U.S. government to fulfill national security interests, yet are accelerating at a pace lawmakers can’t keep up with, making it incredibly hard for Washington to rein these tech giants in. What happens when big tech becomes too big?

 

 

From CFR

 

Cyber Operations Tracker

 

Catherine Powell, “Deepfake of Kamala Harris Reups Questions on Tech’s Self-Regulation

 

Linda Robinson, “European Tech Law Faces Test to Address Interference, Threats, and Disinformation in 2024 Elections

 

From Our Guests

 

Rana Foroohar, “Big Tech Must Be Scared,” Financial Times 

 

Rana Foroohar, “What If Elon Musk Ran the Economy?,” Financial Times 

 

Rana Foroohar,Why Big Tech Wants to Keep the Net Neutral,” Financial Times 

 

Adam Segal, “The Coming Tech Cold War With China,” Foreign Affairs

 

Adam Segal, The Hacked World Order

 

Read More

 

Adrienne LaFrance, “The Rise of Techno-authoritarianism,” Atlantic 

 

Adam Satariano, Scott Reinhard, Cade Metz, Sheera Frenkel, and Malika Khuran, “Elon Musk’s Unmatched Power In the Stars,” New York Times

 

Chris Alcantara, Kevin Schaul, Gerrit De Vynck, and Reed Albergotti, “How Big Tech Got So Big: Hundreds of Acquisitions,” Washington Post

 

HEC Paris Insights, “Why Big Tech Will Remain Beyond Government ControlForbes

 

Watch and Listen

 

Ian Bremmer, “The Next Global Superpower Isn't Who You Think,” TED

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