The Next Global Superpower Isn't Who You Think | Ian Bremmer | TED

In this speech, the speaker is discussing the future of global politics and the rise of new world orders. The speaker posits that there are currently two dominant world orders: a US-led military order and a Chinese-led economic order. However, the speaker also predicts the emergence of a digital order, which will be even more influential than the physical and economic orders.The speaker argues that technology companies will play a significant role in shaping this new digital order and determining how much power they will have over global affairs. However, the speaker raises several concerns about the potential impact of these technology companies on society. For instance, there are now over 100 people in the world who have the knowledge and technology to create a new smallpox virus, which is a cause for alarm. Additionally, the speaker questions whether technology companies will act responsibly as they develop and release new and powerful artificial intelligence, collect vast amounts of data on citizens and their environment, and perpetuate advertising models that turn citizens into products and drive hate and misinformation.The speaker ends by asking whether the technology leaders who create and control these tools are comfortable with their role in destroying democracy or if they will do something about it. The speaker emphasizes the need to understand the answers to these questions as the digital order continues to evolve.