PROFIT: Gaps and opportunities in the corporate governance of big tech companies
The PROFIT research project emerges from a critical juncture in the technological epoch, scrutinising the dominating prowess of Big Tech companies in the marketplace.
Despite concerted efforts to tailor public law with mechanisms to better regulate these giants, a glaring gap persists in the conceptualization and execution of similar strategies within the framework of private law. It is evident that the existing infrastructure of corporate law and governance remains ill-equipped to facilitate adequate oversight and control over these entities, presenting an urgent call for revisitation and reform.
PROFIT aims to analyse the principles and practices of corporate law and corporate governance that can help us enhance the accountability of Big Tech firms, fostering transparency, fairness, and ethical considerations. We aim to pioneer a landscape where the expansive might of Big Tech companies is aligned not just with economic leadership, but also with a pronounced responsibility towards public good and individual rights of their users. This initiative emphasises the rejuvenation of private law mechanisms to meet the demands of the current technology-driven society. It is about fostering governance that is as sophisticated and evolved as the entities it seeks to govern.
Re-designing corporate governance of Big Tech Companies:
- What are the current corporate governance mechanisms and tools used by Big Tech?
- How could we re-design corporate governance mechanisms to reflect the public interest?
Use of data analytics and AI by Big Tech Companies and the consequences of AI legislation:
- What are the current data and AI practices of Big Tech?
- How will new technology regulation (like the EU's AI Act) affect Big Tech corporate practices and structures?
- How could we use AI in corporate governance to enforce the public interest element?
Sub-Project 1: Re-designing Corporate Governance of Big Tech Companies
SP1 involves an in-depth analysis of Big Tech's fiduciary duties, governance, and data compliance documents, as publicly traded companies. This stage focuses on creating new corporate governance principles with a people-centric approach, emphasizing individual data rights and the public interest.
A workshop will be organized to discuss Big Tech's foundations, infrastructure, and governance, with input from industry and academia. Research outcomes and Principles will be presented at a final conference in Copenhagen.
Sub-Project 2: Use of Data and AI by Big Tech Companies and the Consequences of AI Legislation
SP2 examines Big Tech's AI practices using policy materials from governmental hearings, policies, data NGO analyses, and secondary literature. Interviews with AI analytics start-ups will shed light on recent technological developments and potential risks and opportunities in AI systems.
The project aims to adapt to ongoing policy debates and potential AI legislation in the US and Australia.
The following collaborations enhance the project's international perspective and bring valuable inputs from experts in the field.
UWA Minderoo Tech & Policy Lab
The collaboration with UWA Minderoo Tech & Policy Lab involves engaging in research stays to gain insights into data analytics and data management practices of Big Tech companies. This collaboration aims to enhance the understanding of the data-related aspects of corporate governance in the context of technology companies.
NYU Guarini Global Law & Tech
The collaboration with NYU Guarini Global Law & Tech includes conducting research stays and interviews with leading corporate governance academics and practitioners in New York City. These interactions aim to critically review and implement the newly developed corporate governance principles.
Researchers
| Name | Title | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandra Andhov | Associate Professor |
|
| Léonard Van Rompaey | Postdoc |
|
Contact
PI Associate Professor
Alexandra Andhov
Faculty of Law
University of Copenhagen
South Campus, Building: 6B-3-57
Karen Blixens Plads 16
DK-2300 Copenhagen S
Phone: +4535334215
Mobile: +4525533869
E-mail: alexandra.andhov@jur.ku.dk
Funded by:
PROFIT has received a three year funding from Danmakrs Frie Forskningsfond’s prestigious grant Inge Lehmann.
Project: PROFIT: Gaps and opportunities in the corporate governance of big tech companies
Period: 3 Years