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Tech Won't Save Us

How Cloud Giants Cement Their Power w/ Cecilia Rikap

Jan 2, 2025
Cecilia Rikap, an Associate Professor in Economics at University College London, examines the power dynamics of tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. She discusses how these companies create dependency through their cloud services, impacting startups and large firms alike. The conversation dives into the implications of generative AI for corporate power and the need for viewing cloud services as public utilities. Cecilia also advocates for data solidarity and collaboration to foster a more equitable tech landscape.
43:59

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google increase their market dominance by creating a dependency on their cloud services among businesses and organizations.
  • The rise of generative AI has intensified the reliance on cloud providers, further entrenching their power and affecting innovation trajectories.

Deep dives

The Role of Cloud Infrastructure in Corporate Power

Cloud infrastructure is a key driver of power for major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, allowing them to dominate the market by offering flexible and easily accessible computing resources. This infrastructure enables organizations to outsource their computing needs, from startups to universities, reducing the burden of maintaining their own data centers. However, this reliance creates a cycle of dependency; as more entities migrate to the cloud, they become increasingly tethered to the services provided by these tech giants. This phenomenon leads to the concentration of power in a few corporations, which is exacerbated by their control over critical intangible assets and software services, inherently generating a monopolistic environment.

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