How the unholy alliance of Big Tech and the far right threatens the world

An alliance between the world's most powerful technology companies and far-right groups poses a significant threat to global stability, according to a recent report. Historian Eric Hobsbawm and modern-day tech executives like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg have illustrated how the digital age has transformed the way people consume information and interact with one another.

The rise of social media and artificial intelligence has created a new "attention economy," fundamentally altering the way people view the world, spend their time, and communicate with each other. The shift began around the time of the Apple II home computer's introduction in the late 1970s, and has accelerated in recent years as machine-learning neural networks have taken hold.

This transformation has enabled populist leaders to gain unprecedented traction, as evidenced by the 2016 US presidential election, Brexit, and other recent political developments. Social media algorithms were adept at targeting voters with tailored messaging, often employing disinformation and fear-mongering to sway public opinion.

The rise of far-right populism has been further fueled by tech giants like Elon Musk's X, shadowy media specialists like Cambridge Analytica, and bots operated by Israel, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. These actors have helped radical nationalist movements gain mainstream acceptance, particularly in Latin America, where right-wing parties have replaced left-leaning governments in recent years.

The left is struggling to compete in this new media landscape, pitted against well-funded and strategically-minded right-wing actors. While left-wing groups and movements have made headway in some areas, they remain vulnerable to the divisive tactics employed by right-wing politicians and their allies.

The situation is further complicated by a paradox: while the most mobilized groups on the left, such as pro-Palestine activists, French students, and Brazilian protesters, represent the working class, they are still outmaneuvered by the far right's ability to exploit social media for their own political gain. As long as right-wing parties can stoke fears about immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and other issues, they can successfully appeal to working-class voters and effectively neutralize the left's message.