We need to get away from big tech. Who will sit in the cockpit?

Uncertainty in the tech sector is omnipresent: key technologies are still in the hands of a small number of non-transparent corporations that are specifically trying to secure President Trump's political favor. At the same time, China is establishing itself as the second-largest technological power, showing us as a real-life laboratory how these technologies can be used against human rights. Be it through social scoring systems, blanket surveillance and internet censorship that extends into private chats. Europe, on the other hand, is struggling with its own regulatory efforts, which repeatedly fail due to political blockades and clever lobbying, while at the same time failing to develop its own technological innovation. As a result, a few platform operators have immense market and opinion power. This can be seen in artificial intelligence, which already plays a central role in opinion formation. At the same time, this market power also influences the relationship between the state and technology companies. Not only are we increasingly dependent on the internet infrastructure, the military also relies on private undersea cables and AI-supported drones for warfare. The complexity of the problem is therefore almost impossible to grasp and even more difficult to solve. Many of us therefore lose the feeling that we can change anything.

Who is sitting in the cockpit?

You are also concerned about this topic: This is reflected in the numerous responses we received to our survey. In the survey, we asked our community about their concerns and challenges in digitalization. A large majority are concerned about the increasing dependence on large tech companies and the lack of control over data and data protection issues.

One response stands out in the survey: "Is someone sitting in the cockpit? One of us?" Whether we can take the wheel ourselves is questionable. But we should at least be able to decide not to get on the plane if we don't like the cabin crew. At the Dezentrum, we don't stop at criticism. We are concerned with the question of what we can do as a civil society. How can we not only criticize Big Tech, but also create concrete alternatives?

There is no simple solution. This is demonstrated by the fact that it is an ambitious undertaking just to do without these products.

However, we are convinced that the future can be shaped. But we have to think about the alternatives first and we can't do that alone. This is also reflected in our survey results: when asked what you would like to see, the most frequently mentioned answer was the desire to exchange ideas with other people and organizations.

Creating alternatives together

Now we need to think and act together. We don't have an answer to the question of how everything could be better, but we do have the methods and approaches to take a step forward together.

Through our work, we have a deep understanding of big tech, artificial intelligence and digital literacy and support organizations in recognizing technological potential, anchoring digital skills sustainably and at the same time anticipating risks - from opinion manipulation to job losses - at an early stage.

If you are interested in thinking about how your life, your organization or our world could become more democratic again, then support our work.

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As a member of the association, you support and are an active part of the Dezentrum. On May 20, we will meet at 18:30 in the Gleis for the next regulars' table. Curious thinkers are welcome, please register at verein@dezentrum.ch

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