On March 24, 2025, at 6:30 PM (CET), Amerikahaus NRW e.V. is hosting an engaging online discussion on the growing power of major technology companies in the digital age. The focus will be on how democracies can respond to the increasing influence of Big Tech.
Between Big Tech and Democracy
Digital platforms shape public discourse, influence political processes, and have significant economic impacts. The role of Big Tech in modern democracies is therefore becoming increasingly controversial. While major technology companies drive innovation, they also face criticism: They influence opinion formation, reinforce political polarization, and pose new challenges for democratic institutions. Can democracies keep pace with the rapid expansion of digital power? What role should governments play in regulating the internet without endangering freedom of speech? And how do transatlantic differences in policy and governance affect the digital space?
Christoph Bieber as Part of the Discussion Panel
Christoph Bieber, Head of the Research Program “Digital Democratic Innovations” at CAIS, will participate in the discussion as an expert. Since 2011, he has been researching ethics and transparency in politics, digital democracy, and public communication, and has been studying American politics and election campaigns for years. In the summer of 2022, Christoph Bieber was a fellow at the Thomas Mann House in Pacific Palisades, USA.
Joining him in discussing the growing power of Big Tech and its political implications are:
- Marietje Schaake, Former Member of the European Parliament (2009–2019) and Non-Resident Fellow at the Cyber Policy Center and the Institute for Human-Centered AI at Stanford University
- Steven Feldstein, Senior Fellow in the Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The event will be moderated by freelance journalist Jenny Joy Schumann and will take place in English via Zoom.
Date and Registration
- When? Monday, March 24, 2025, 6:30 PM (CET)
- Where? Online via Zoom
- Register here
The event is organized by Amerikahaus NRW e.V. with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office and in cooperation with CAIS.