The actions of influential technology leaders have prompted a range of unexpected questions. For instance, is it feasible to safeguard a multitude of personal relationships with non-disclosure agreements? Can impersonating a lesser-known musician be viewed as more humiliating than it seems? Perhaps more troubling is the question of when it becomes acceptable to engage with a regime responsible for the murder of a journalist. The timing in this case appears to span just over six years.
In October 2018, Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist with the Washington Post, was brutally killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, an act reportedly sanctioned by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (commonly referred to as MBS) while Khashoggi sought paperwork for his impending marriage. His remains have never been recovered. Fast forward to May 13, and Amazon, owned by Jeff Bezos, announced a collaboration with Humain, an AI venture led by MBS, to establish an “AI Zone” in Saudi Arabia, with investments exceeding $5 billion.
Investment from Saudi Arabia has been a longstanding trend within the tech sector, notably through its Public Investment Fund which has injected considerable capital into startups, either directly or via channels such as SoftBank. Prominent investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, have been courting Saudi funds for some time, raising questions about potential motivations. This marks yet another agreement for Amazon, which had previously committed $5 billion to develop data centers in a nation eager to project a modern image.
In its quest to evolve into an AI-centric economy, Saudi Arabia unveiled a sophisticated initiative called Project 2030, aimed at diverting attention from its oil wealth. The timeline is significant; projections suggest that oil production could peak around that year, leading to a notable decline thereafter. A global transition away from fossil fuels poses a threat to Saudi Arabia’s financial stability, prompting an aggressive pursuit of innovation.
One prominent project under this ambition, Neom, is presented as a visionary city but is criticized as a facade with limited actual progress. Researchers point out that it serves as a strategic instrument for MBS to strengthen his grip on power. Khashoggi’s assassination had a chilling effect, causing influential figures in technology and government to withdraw their support. For a time, many companies publicly distanced themselves from Saudi financial backing.
Does the freedom to assassinate count as one of the personal liberties Bezos claims to treasure?
Progress on Neom has been marred by continual delays and downsizing, transforming it from a futuristic concept into a more conventional urban development. Nonetheless, Saudi officials remain optimistic, proclaiming that the project will not reach fruition for another fifty or potentially even one hundred years, raising questions about the forthcoming contracts and investments in the interim.
While it may be unrealistic to expect ethical considerations from industry leaders, a pragmatic approach would suggest refraining from investing in a country where a contractor was not only murdered but dismembered and subsequently disappeared. The circumstances surrounding Khashoggi’s death serve as a stark reminder of the moral implications lurking beneath business decisions.
In recent times, Bezos seems to have been systematically dismantling the Washington Post, a once-prestigious journalistic institution, having appointed controversial figures to lead the organization. The newspaper’s recent decision to withhold candidate endorsements in a presidential election marked a historic departure from tradition, leading to a significant loss of subscribers. Notable talents have left the organization, with at least one former staff member achieving acclaim after departing. Despite Bezos’s previous commitments to journalistic integrity, his willingness to collaborate with those responsible for silencing dissenting voices raises critical questions about his true convictions.
This situation reveals a troubling lack of integrity. The potential hacking of Bezos’ phone by MBS adds another layer of complexity to their relationship, and while motives remain speculative, the timeline of Bezos moving from publicly mourning a slain journalist to engaging in lucrative arrangements with those culpable for his death underscores the moral quandaries inherent in such corporate dealings.
