What is Technofeudalism

Technofeudalism, through the lens of RAISE-UP, is a warning: it’s what happens when AI and digital platforms concentrate power in the hands of a few, stripping workers, communities, and even governments of agency. RAISE-UP exists to reverse this trend—by reclaiming technology for people, jobs, and democracy.

What Is Technofeudalism?

Coined by economist Yanis Varoufakis, technofeudalism describes a shift from traditional capitalism to a system where digital platforms act like feudal lords, controlling not just markets but the infrastructure of everyday life. Key features include:

Platform dominance: Companies like Amazon, Google, and Meta don’t just compete—they own the digital terrain.
Data extraction: Users generate value (through clicks, content, and behavior), but that value is captured by tech giants.
Loss of economic agency: Small businesses, workers, and even governments become dependent on opaque algorithms and private infrastructure.

This isn’t just about economics—it’s about power, governance, and freedom.

RAISE-UP’s Lens: Reclaiming AI for the Public Good

RAISE-UP views technofeudalism as the antithesis of people-centered AI. Here’s how the framework responds:

1. Redistribution of Power

Technofeudalism centralizes control. RAISE-UP demands democratized AI governance, where communities, workers, and public institutions shape how AI is built and deployed.

2. Job Creation vs. Job Extraction

Technofeudal systems automate for profit, not people. RAISE-UP insists AI must be designed to create meaningful work, not eliminate it.

3. Ethical Infrastructure

Feudal platforms operate with little transparency. RAISE-UP calls for public-interest infrastructure—open standards, accountable algorithms, and community oversight.

4. Digital Dignity

Users become digital serfs. RAISE-UP affirms that data dignity, privacy, and consent are non-negotiable rights.

5. Coalition Building

Feudalism isolates. RAISE-UP builds broad coalitions—faith groups, labor unions, educators, and technologists—to reclaim collective agency.

Why It Matters Now

Technofeudalism isn’t a distant dystopia—it’s unfolding in real time. From gig workers managed by opaque algorithms to public services outsourced to private platforms, the stakes are urgent. RAISE-UP offers a moral and strategic counterforce, rooted in equity, solidarity, and democratic renewal.