Ensure European tech companies adhere to democratic and rule of law values
image: Joshua Sortino on Unsplash
Reijer Passchier, Assistant Professor in Constitutional Law, warns against copying the destructive tech-giant model that exists in the US and China. In Dutch newspaper 'De Volkskrant', he proposes developing European tech companies to ensure that Europe retains its sovereignty.
A major international AI summit is currently taking place in Paris, at the instigation of President Macron. To limit the influence of US and Chinese tech giants, Europe will have to try to repel such companies while making plans for its own tech industry. According to Reijer Passchier, big tech in the US has led to unprecedented inequality of wealth and the state has little control over these companies. Tech giants are willing to innovate, but only when this is to their advantage. If not, they will go all out to stop competitors threatening their business model. Elon Musk is an example of their powerful position. At the same time, problems arise from mixing public and private interests and the interests of the companies often take precedence over those of society. In China, the state is able to control the tech giants through its authoritarian political system and strict control over internet access.
'Europe must avoid allowing such fundamental risks to arise.' Passchier says that Europe has the means to develop both technical and institutional opportunities that are both democratic and in line with the rule of law. As an example, Passchier mentions the messaging app Signal – a company that uses technology to serve society, without putting profits first.