Digital Distortions: Marie-Astrid Langer of NZZ on reporting technology, and life in Silicon Valley

The ICT4Peace Foundation is delighted to release the third episode of Digital Distortions, a podcast series looking at the role, reach, and relevance of disinformation, and truth decay in contemporary democracies, hosted by the Foundation’s Special Advisor Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa, and supported by the Daniel Gablinger Foundation.

This podcast features an in-depth conversation with the award-winning journalist Marie-Astrid Langer, who is the US correspondent for the venerable Swiss newspaper, Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ). First published as the Zürcher Zeitung (Zurich Journal) in January 1780, the newspaper was renamed as the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, or the NZZ for short, in 1821. It has been published without interruption since, making the NZZ the oldest newspaper in Switzerland and one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the world. Langer has an MBA from University of Tübingen, and is alumna of the Henri-Nannen-Journalism School. Her beat involves reporting all technology related news, and developments in the US.

The conversation between Langer, and Hattotuwa highlighted the crucial role tech journalists play in bridging the gap between the insular world of Silicon Valley innovation and the broader societal implications and public understanding of these technologies. But it also underscored the immense challenges involved in reporting on an industry of such consolidated power and a culture often lacking in diversity, ethics and self-reflection.

As a seasoned journalist based in the heart of Silicon Valley (since 2018), Langer offers a unique and critical perspective on the tech industry’s culture, innovations, and societal implications. Throughout the conversation, Langer shares her experiences navigating the male-dominated world of Silicon Valley, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in tech journalism. She delves into the stark contrasts between the American and European approaches to innovation and regulation, highlighting the relentless pursuit of progress often found in the US at the expense of ethics and diversity.

The conversation also explores the immense power and influence wielded by Big Tech companies and their leaders, often surpassing that of governments and nations. Langer and Hattotuwa examine the potential transformative impact of emerging technologies such as generative AI, biotech, and autonomous vehicles on society, emphasising the crucial role of journalism in educating the public and holding the industry accountable. Langer stresses the value of critically examining the implications of technological advancements and the need for journalists to maintain objectivity and integrity in their reporting.

The podcast concludes with an exploration of the potential risks and opportunities associated with AI’s influence on the upcoming 2024 US election. Langer, and Hattotuwa’s conversation is a reminder of the vital role technology journalists in particular, and strong, independent journalism in general play in fostering a greater understanding of the technologies shaping our world, lives, livelihoods, societies, and democracy.

Major topics, themes, areas, and issues covered by Langer, and Hattotuwa included,

1. The life and work of a tech journalist/foreign correspondent based in Silicon Valley, including the challenges of gaining access, navigating corporate cultures, maintaining objectivity and ethics.
2. The stark differences between the work culture and mentality in Silicon Valley/U.S. compared to Europe, especially around risk-taking, regulation, and the pursuit of innovation at all costs.
3. The concerning lack of diversity, “toxic masculinity” and misogyny that still pervades much of the tech industry and Silicon Valley culture.
4. The immense power and influence concentrated in Big Tech companies and their leaders, often exceeding that of governments and countries.
5. The potential of emerging technologies like generative AI, biotech, autonomous vehicles to transform society in both positive and negative ways. The need for journalists to critically examine their implications.
6. The importance of tech journalism in educating the public and holding the industry accountable, though companies often disregard media outlets that aren’t in English.
7. The exciting potential but also risks and ethical concerns around the use of AI in the upcoming 2024 U.S. election.
8. The “bubble” nature of Silicon Valley and the value of seeking out stories and perspectives from outside the tech epicenter to get a fuller picture.

Listen to it on SoundCloud, or Spotify and subscribe to new episodes on Spotify. Also available on other major podcast platforms, and apps.