Member-only story

Big Tech’s Power Grab: AI, Privatization, and the Silent Hijacking of Our Democracy

Effenus Henderson
5 min readFeb 6, 2025

--

The intersection of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and federal shared services has long been an area of both innovation and controversy. As we watch major shifts in governance and policy, it is critical to examine the players who stand to benefit the most from these transformations.

At the swearing-in ceremony of former President Donald Trump, a cadre of tech giants stood in the background — Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and other high-profile tech moguls. This moment was more than just symbolic; it was indicative of a larger, more insidious movement towards the automation and privatization of government services. These tech oligarchs, whose companies have thrived on automation, data analytics, and AI-driven efficiencies, may well have seen an opportunity to reshape federal institutions in ways that benefit their bottom lines.

Notably, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, was also present at the ceremony, alongside Sundar Pichai (Google), Tim Cook (Apple), and Shou Zi Chew (TikTok). Their attendance underscores the expanding influence of AI and big tech in government operations. Additionally, reports indicate that several of these executives, including Altman, contributed personal donations of $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, solidifying their vested interest in…

--

--

Effenus Henderson
Effenus Henderson

Written by Effenus Henderson

President and CEO of HenderWorks Consulting and Co-Founder of the Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion. Convener, ISO Working Group, DEI

No responses yet