Public Lecture Series "Taming the Machines"Public Lecture: Cybernetic Authoritarianism: On Silicon Valley’s Technofascism

27 May 2026

In her talk on 27 May 2026, Prof. Dr. Anna-Verena Nosthoff presents insights into her recent book “Kybernetik und Kritik. Eine Theorie digitaler Regierungskunst” (Cybernetics and Critique: A Theory of Digital Government), and shows how Silicon Valley’s current authoritarian turn can be understood through the lens of cybernetics. Using examples such as Elon Musk’s “X,” the “Department of Government Efficiency,” and the AGI hype, she argues that contemporary “Muskism” (Leopre) represents a form of cybernetic authoritarianism.

About the lecture

When: 27.05.2026, 18:15 - 19:45 CEST/Berlin time

Where:

• Join us on-site at: Flü­gelbau Ost, 2. OG, Raum O 221, Ed­mund-Siemers-Allee 1, 20146 Ham­burg
• Join us virtually via Zoom Webinar: After registering on our research group’s website,  you will  receive the access details by e-mail. These access data are valid for all lectures in the series.

Registration and complete program of „Taming the Machines“ lecture series:
https://www.inf.uni-hamburg.de/en/inst/ab/eit/taming-the-machines/summer26.html