Spanish premier warns Europeans of danger tech giants pose to public discourse

By Senhan Bolelli

MADRID (AA) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday called on Europeans to push back against a "tech caste" he warned poses a danger to public discourse and policymaking across the Western world.

Speaking at a conference on artificial intelligence (AI) in Madrid, Sanchez cautioned that technology often amplifies inequality, empowering the already privileged while marginalizing others.

"This threat is especially serious," Sanchez said, directing criticism at US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the owner of X, who is set to serve as an advisor to Trump.

Just hours before Trump’s inauguration earlier on Monday, he said: "We are seeing how the tech caste ... is trying to use its absolute power over social media to control public debate and therefore government action in the whole West."

Highlighting concerns about the concentration of wealth and power in AI and social media platforms, Sanchez warned of the dangers posed by unregulated dissemination of messages that reach millions of users.

He stressed that AI must adhere to democratic values, reduce inequality, and prioritize the public’s welfare while respecting fundamental rights.

Musk, who also leads Tesla and SpaceX, has been criticized for his involvement in European politics through his platform, X. His remarks on political developments in countries like Italy, Germany, and the UK have sparked controversy. In addition, his support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of an upcoming election has drawn significant backlash from German leaders.

Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 and rebranded it as X the following year. He has faced allegations of leveraging his platform to interfere in political matters, raising concerns about the role of tech giants in shaping democratic processes.