Do not be fooled by them! In reality, “Tech-Bros” only have a problem with rules when they are not the ones making them. For example, Elon Musk talks a lot about freedom of speech, yet he manipulates algorithms to boost his ego or silence critics.
If these powerful individuals manage to dismantle government oversight, it would mean that no democratically elected government sets the rules anymore. Instead, a group of eccentric billionaires would rule. Their leadership would be harsh, opaque, and ruthless.
This is a commentary by Gregor Honsel, who has been an editor at Technology Review since 2006. He believes many complex problems have simple, easy-to-understand, but incorrect solutions.
The key term here is “Code is Law”: Programs and algorithms have a legislative-like power. This idea was popularized by internet activist Lawrence Lessig even before the turn of the millennium. At that time, the phenomenon was mostly limited to the online world. Today, algorithms influence practically every area of our lives, from job searches to credit approvals to the distribution of social benefits.
Meanwhile, machine decisions are becoming increasingly opaque. Not even their creators understand what a machine learning model thinks when making decisions. Even with a lot of goodwill, it is hardly possible to shield algorithms from unfair tendencies. And there is currently no sign of goodwill from Musk and his peers. In addition to implicit bias, there is also the risk of arbitrary “orders” being imposed.
Democracy is a finely balanced system of forces and counterforces, power and control. People can intervene, object, and demand accountability. There are good reasons why the EU, in its AI Act, requires that decisions made by algorithms must be understandable. Otherwise, there is no way to oppose them. The operators of unregulated digital platforms, on the other hand, are legislators, police officers, prosecutors, and judges all in one. In other words: dictators.
No, the libertarian campaign against government regulation will not bring more freedom. Instead, it will bring a new, much harsher form of oppression.