The politics of the internet

Can we fix the internet? Once, the internet was decentralized and publicly owned. Now, a handful of major companies determine what we see, like, and share. With Britt Paris, we discuss the politics of the internet.

From social media feeds and AI systems to data centres and undersea cables, the digital world is built on infrastructures that shape how information flows, who gets heard and who holds power. American researcher Britt Paris, author of Radical Infrastructure: Imagining the Internet from the Ground Up, examines the architecture of power embedded in the internet. What happens when essential parts of public life become dependent on private platforms?

The evening includes an artistic intermezzo by Jen Liu, whose work investigates the relationship between technology, labour and global systems of power.

Technology has become an inseparable part of our lives, but do we take enough time to reflect on that? In Techdenkers, we examine technological innovation through an ethical lens. What impact will the rise of AI have on our lives? How can we use technology to help solve the climate crisis? And do we want algorithms to determine who we choose as our partners?

The Techdenkers series is produced and broadcast by De Balie and is part of our partnership with Adyen.