In his farewell speech on January 15, 2025, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden warned the American people about the rising influence of a “tech-industrial complex” and cautioned that “an oligarchy is taking shape in America, marked by extreme wealth, power, and influence that threatens our democracy, basic rights, freedoms, and the fair opportunity for everyone to get ahead.” Biden’s remarks echoed a similar warning made in 1961 by former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had highlighted the dangers of the “military-industrial complex” of that era.
So, what exactly is the “tech-industrial complex,” and why is it in the news now?
Simply put, it refers to a situation where a few ultra-wealthy and powerful tech tycoons gain unprecedented influence over government policy. At the core of the contemporary tech-industrial complex lies the powerful interplay of government, technology, and society, wherein major international tech corporations such as Google, Apple, Tesla, and Meta have amassed unprecedented market control and policy influence.
Moreover, social media giants like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram have failed to adequately address disinformation, politically polarising content, and deepfake technologies, all of which continue to undermine public trust in institutions. Ironically, despite growing concerns, the lobbying power of these tech giants often stymies regulatory efforts addressing privacy, data protection, and monopolistic marketing practices. This has resulted in a growing democratic deficit, where government policy increasingly reflects corporate priorities rather than those of citizens.
