Those following developments in technology will be very aware of the ‘AI arms race’ narrative that permeates all conversation about next-generation technology. AI dominance implies ultimate economic superiority. And in this battle, the US is firmly pitted against its most potent economic threat, China.

This pace of this purported battle leaves little room for technological oversight or regulation. Indeed, Silicon Valley is already known for its lack of regulation, despite escalating evidence in recent years that social media platforms have been weaponised by Russia and that unpoliced content is the cause of a spiralling mental health crisis, most notably amongst young people.

In The Tech Coup, former MEP Marietje Schaake explores the impact of a lack of technology regulation on democracy. She exposes the dangers of privatisation for an industry that increasingly influences how governments shape public services and look after their people. Most critically, she spotlights the loss of individual privacy and the rise of surveillance capitalism, linking this to authoritarianism and the death of democracy.

For anyone invested in the continuation of democracy, this is essential reading. We can’t respond to what we can’t see, and while it might be too late for some countries, this book contains important insights for what kind of society we aspire to live in moving forward.