JOHAN STEYN: Digital oligarchy — concentrated tech power imperils our future
Powerful artificial intelligence platforms in the hands of only a few entities can lead to biased, noninclusive algorithms
20 September 2023 - 05:00
Tech giants such as Amazon, Google, Meta, Apple, and Microsoft — sometimes referred to as “Big Tech” — hold substantial sway over people globally. These large entities have unparallelled access to user data, which they use for myriad purposes, from targeted advertising to product development.
The Cambridge Analytica scandal of 2018, in which the personal data of millions of Facebook users was harvested without consent for political advertising, is a telling example of the dangers of the centralisation of technological power...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.