Biden Warns of Threats to Democracy and Tech

President Joe Biden issued an executive order to strengthen U.S. cybersecurity, targeting foreign hackers and enhancing federal agency protections against potential threats from quantum computing. In his farewell address, Biden emphasized the dangers posed by an emerging oligarchy and a tech-industrial complex, warning of the concentration of wealth and power threatening democracy. He highlighted the risks of misinformation proliferated by social media platforms and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, calling for responsible leadership, particularly against rising Chinese influence in AI. Biden also reflected on his administration's achievements, including climate legislation and a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict, as he prepared to hand over the presidency to Donald Trump. His warnings about unchecked power and misinformation reflect concerns about the future trajectory of American democracy and technology.