Monopoly of the Tech Giants

We are excited to host a LIVE episode recording of the Future Histories Podcast with Jan Groos featuring Prof. Cecilia Rikap. The live episode will discuss the intellectual monopoly of big technology companies, how these companies plan innovation and production beyond their company boundaries, and how they appropriate knowledge rents from smaller companies, universities, and government research labs. Rikap will share insights from her upcoming book with Verso on how democratic alternatives to big tech monopolies could look like, and what concrete steps can be taken to limit their power.  The live episode recording will be followed by Q&A with the speakers and a reception with the opportunity for more discussions.

The Speaker:

• Cecilia Rikap is the head of research of the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, and Associate Professor at University College London (UCL). She is one of the leading critics of Big Tech and how these companies act as intellectual monopolies, appropriating rents from ecosystems of research and development. Her recent book published with Routledge is “Capitalism, Power and Innovation: Intellectual Monopoly Capitalism uncovered”. She has also worked on corporate planning of global production and innovation systems, and the relationship between tech giants and the state. Her new book with Verso will be forthcoming in November 2025.
• Jan Groos is a researcher focussing on algorithmic governance and sociotechnical imaginaries. With a background in fine arts and filmmaking, he holds a PhD in Sociology from Kiel University. He is well-known for hosting the podcast ‘Future Histories’ as part of his research practice, inviting guests to extend our concept of the future. His edited volume ‘Creative Construction – Democratic Planning in the 21st Century and Beyond’ (co-edited with Christoph Sorg) was recently published with Bristol University Press. A special issue co-edited by Jan Groos and Christoph Sorg on ‘Rethinking Economic Planning’ has recently been published in Competition and Change.