A critical discussion on technology and rights

“Fira Literal 2025” concluded with a four-way conversation on technology, algorithms and emancipation featuring Simona Levi, ambassador of Fundació .cat, thinker Ingrid Guardiola and activist David Fernández, moderated by Judit Membrives, head of AI and Human Rights at Lafede.cat. The debate, titled “The algorithm against life: is emancipatory technology possible?”, closed the thought sessions with a deeply critical take on today’s technopolitical model.

Internet as a democratic infrastructure

Simona Levi, digital activist and coordinator of the 4D programme for democratic digitalisation and digital rights, opened the discussion with a provocative statement: “I’m not authorised by my organisation to speak badly of the internet.” This was more than a provocation—it was a defence of open, auditable, decentralised technology.

Levi described the internet as a democratic infrastructure founded on neutrality and decentralisation: “My bit is no different from the president’s or the Pope’s. We have equal power and speed to communicate.”

Institutional criticism and viable alternatives

According to Levi, the problem is not technology, but the institutional failure to govern it: “The most terrible thing about digitalisation policies is not the crime, but the stupidity.” She criticised the handover of public services to big tech companies and insisted that better, cheaper alternatives already exist.

She also questioned everyday tools like Gmail: “It’s not about efficiency; it’s about domination and control.” For Levi, digital sovereignty requires institutions to take back responsibility for digital public infrastructure.

Digital literacy as resistance

Despite the obstacles, Levi expressed optimism: “The alternative is absolutely feasible.” She stressed that today’s technological advances, , especially AI, empower us to build sovereign digital systems. “Long live the internet!”, she concluded.

She defended digital sovereignty as something ordinary people can achieve: “I don’t understand mechanics, but I drive well. It’s the same with tech—we can use it well and build resistance.”

Another internet is possible

The talk highlighted real threats in the current model, but also proposed concrete ways to regain control and build alternatives. Levi reminds us that defending our way of being begins with our everyday tools.