Quote of the day by US President Dwight D Eisenhower: 'Public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite' — foreshadowing Silicon Valley's global domination
The internet boom gave rise to a cabal of technology companies that have grown to dominate how much of the world runs
Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower cautioned in his final address to the American people about the looming dangers of an elite group in science and technology overpowering democratic elected officials. This warning, now known as the "Quote of the day," hinted at the eventual domination of Silicon Valley in the global stage.
In the era of the internet, the rise of Silicon Valley elites began, and now, during the AI era, these forces seem to be firmly entrenched in power. The tech giants, such as Microsoft, Meta, X, and Snap, have collectively spent billions of dollars on lobbying the government, with a handful of companies channelling more than $260 million between 2020 and 2024.
This influence is further reinforced by the Trump administration's decision to give vested interests a role in government.
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