Business Breakfast speaker to address big tech

Monday 20 March 2023

Jamie Susskind will address the fascinating and difficult subject of the power of big tech as guest speaker at the Guernsey Literary Festival’s Business Breakfast on Friday 12 May at the OGH Hotel.

In his latest book, The Digital Republic: On Freedom and Democracy in the 21st Century, author Mr Susskind argues that problems within large technology companies are not just a result of poor practices but our failure to govern technology properly, a failure derived from decades of muddled ideas and wishful thinking.

One national reviewer said of the book: “The power of tech corporations is a threat to democracy, yet governments are reluctant to act. This refreshing book picks apart the ideology that holds them back."

Mr Susskind speaks around the world about digital technology and its impact on politics, economics, and morality. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Financial Times, The Times, The Guardian, Wired, the Daily Telegraph, Fast Company, the New Statesman, and elsewhere. 

The local event, which is sponsored by Butterfield, runs between 08:00 and 09:30 and tickets include a continental breakfast and a copy of The Digital Republic. 

Alan Bain, Managing Director of sponsors Butterfield Bank in Guernsey, said: “This is a subject of tremendous importance to all of us, and his book poses many great political questions about the challenges of the digital age. We are delighted to continue our support for the festival, especially as we celebrate our 50^th year in the Channel Islands."

Tickets for Jamie’s talk, together with details of all the other Guernsey Literary Festival events are available on the festival website.