Project title: Bargaining with Global Digital Platforms in the age of AI
Project description: There is a structural asymmetry between African states and global digital platforms. Platforms like Meta and X operate across borders with network effects, data control + concentration, and capital mobility that exceed the practical regulatory capacity of many African governments. Thus, my research project looks into what strategies African states may employ to increase their bargaining power over global digital platforms without undermining innovation, consumer welfare, or open market participation? The hope is that doing this will bridge the structural asymmetry between African states and global digital platforms, allowing the value of data extraction to be seen in these countries.
Most important achievement: Learning to think for myself
Reflections on the College Scholar Program: I have not been able to experience much as I have been abroad for my Sophomore year. Still, I feel that this program will be the most important thing I have done in my life and the weight of it excites me. I can hardly wait to return to campus and get right into it.