How to save the Internet

Critics of Mark Zuckerberg’s META have loudly dismissed Nick Clegg’s book as an unconvincing defence of Big Tech, but I found it well-balanced. After all, the former Deputy PM understands politics, and his recent work experience means he has wrestled with tough dilemmas that modern social media and AI present. (His critics have done neither!) . His core argument is that USA domination means that we have enjoyed a liberal global, democratic internet based on open data exchange and free speech, and that it is in real danger of fragmentation as Countries – including the UK – rush to enact restrictive domestic legislation alongside growing techno-protectionism. He describes a world of rival AI environments in China and the USA and wants the EU and other democracies to work together to defend the open, liberal, globalised platforms that have delivered so much. As an analysis of issues that affect us all, I found this readable and useful, though whether he is closer to knowing the solution remains pretty doubtful