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Tech oligarchs reshape humanity while billionaires of old seem quaint

Mar 8, 2026
Tech oligarchs reshape humanity while billionaires of old seem quaint

<p>From Gates to Musk and Altman, today’s ultra-rich steer AI and tech, raising questions about who decides the future</p><p>When <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/bill-gates">Bill Gates</a> became the first modern IT mogul to reach the apex of wealth and power in 1992, the world was a very different place. Gates joined the top 10 on Forbes magazine’s billionaires list alongside Japanese, German, Canadian, South Korean and Swedish billionaires, including those with family fortunes from Britain and America. A broad mix of industries was on the list: Retail and media, property management and packaging, an...