Apple co-founder and engineering pioneer Steve Wozniak openly criticized prominent Silicon Valley figures, particularly Elon Musk, for stepping into government roles. Speaking at Barcelona’s Talent Arena developers fair on March 4, Wozniak expressed concerns about the growing overlap between the tech industry and politics. Regarding Musk, Wozniak remarked, “I don’t know what got into his head… Sometimes, when you become extremely wealthy and powerful in a major company, it can go to your head. You start believing you’re the smartest person in the world and feel entitled to dictate how others should act.” His comments were reported by CNBC.

Wozniak emphasized that the skills needed to govern differ from those required to run a tech company. “Running a government like a business makes sense to some extent,” he said, but noted that effective governance requires negotiation and compromise—traits not always prioritized in corporate leadership. While tech companies have long used lobbyists to influence policy, Wozniak warned that CEOs directly taking on government roles was a troubling shift.

The issue has gained attention following Donald Trump’s return to the White House and Elon Musk’s controversial appointment to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has sparked concerns over the billionaire’s influence on federal operations. Beyond politics, Wozniak criticized the dominance of big tech companies, saying they now “own our lives.” He reminisced about Apple’s early days when users had complete control over their computers. “Now, with the internet, you have to subscribe to everything—and even then, you don’t truly own it,” he said.

He also voiced concerns about cloud computing, arguing that users have lost control over their data. “Before, you could protect your work. Now, you must trust companies to safeguard your creations,” he explained. On the subject of generative AI, Wozniak acknowledged its ability to generate ideas and provide direction but pointed out its fundamental limitation: “It lacks human emotional depth.”

Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Indian Express