Tech Won't Save Us

Silicon Valley is Courting Gulf Monarchies to Fund AI w/ Nitasha Tiku

Jun 13, 2024

Tech culture reporter Nitasha Tiku discusses Silicon Valley's ties with Gulf monarchies for AI funding. Topics include the ethical dilemmas of tech companies, concerns over human rights violations, and the complex geopolitical dynamics shaping the tech industry's relationships with authoritarian regimes.

59:57

Episode guests

Nitasha Tiku

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

US tech companies are seeking funding from Gulf monarchies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE for their AI projects.

Tech industry prioritizes economic gains and geopolitical alignment over ethical concerns in engaging with authoritarian regimes.

Internal dissent in tech firms challenges industry partnerships with governments, highlighting a divide in values and priorities.

Deep dives

Silicon Valley's Shift Towards Geopolitical Goals

Silicon Valley has embraced a shift towards supporting the geopolitical goals of the United States, evident in its relationships and deals with authoritarian regimes in the Middle East. The industry's alignment with American government objectives and military interests signifies a departure from previous oppositional stances, with a focus on serving national security priorities.

Intro

5min

Exploring Silicon Valley's Relationship with Middle Eastern Funding for Tech Companies

3min

Impact of Gulf Oil Money on Silicon Valley

8min

Challenges in Accessing Capital for Silicon Valley Companies and Venture Capitalists

2min

UAE's AI Strategy and Geopolitical Dynamics

12min

Exploring Gulf Monarchies' Engagement with Silicon Valley and the US for Tech Investments

4min

Tech Industry's Engagement with Gulf Monarchies and Shifting Silicon Valley Ideologies

21min

Exploring Silicon Valley's Engagement with Authoritarian Monarchies and Defense Sector

6min

Paris Marx is joined by Nitasha Tiku to discuss how US tech companies are flocking to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to fund their expensive AI ambitions.

Nitasha Tiku is a tech culture reporter at the Washington Post.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Read the pieces Nitasha contributed to on Silicon Valley getting funding from Saudia Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and its embrace of the US military.
Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul in 2018. There’s still be no accountability.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman met with many Silicon Valley CEOs months before Khashoggi’s murder.
The United Arab Emirates launched its own AI strategy in 2018.
The UAE also put Pegasus spyware on the phone of Khashoggi’s wife months before his murder.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was photographed signing a woman’s chest on June 4.
Many Arab Americans in Silicon Valley have reported being scared to speak out in support of Palestinians for fear of retaliation.