At the Forbes Next Big Thing event on Tuesday, AI expert Tilesch György addressed the shifting balance of power around big tech and artificial intelligence. The opening conversation was moderated by Zsiborás Gergő, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes, and took place at the Etele Cinema.
On stage the speakers examined what could slow the near-unstoppable expansion of big tech companies, and whether democratically elected governments or technology billionaires will shape the future. They also considered how AI might reshape work, the economy and societal values.
Concrete signs and risks
During the discussion, several recent developments were highlighted that show tech companies’ growth can face limits. In multiple U.S. states voters have held referenda or votes on whether new data centers should be built, a form of local resistance that can curb the spread of such infrastructure.
The conversation also touched on an espionage scandal surrounding Nvidia, noting that such controversies can shake even one of the world’s most valuable tech firms. Incidents like these can affect market confidence and provoke regulatory scrutiny.
Taken together, these examples illustrate that growth is not automatic: economic, political and social pushback, along with corporate scandals, can all restrain expansion.
Tilesch’s role and background
The guest on stage was Tilesch György, founder and president of the California-based Phi Institute for Augmented Intelligence. It was also noted at the event that in late October Tilesch joined Netlock, where he serves as president responsible for AI and global strategy; Forbes.hu previously reported on this move.
Why this matters
The core issue of the discussion was what rapid AI development means for democratic institutions, labor markets and shared values. If AI fundamentally changes how work is done and how economies function, the social and political consequences will be significant. The conversation underscored that future power relations will be shaped not only by technology but by a sequence of legal, ethical and political decisions.
Summary
Forbes’s Next Big Thing opening discussion signaled that although big tech companies have so far expanded strongly, a mix of local opposition, political decisions and corporate scandals can limit or reshape that power. Tilesch György’s experience and his new position at Netlock add perspectives on how the direction and impacts of AI development might be governed.
