Asma Mhalla: Pioneering Technopolitics in the Digital Age
Paris, 11 January 2026 – Asma Mhalla, a Franco-Tunisian political scientist and essayist, has emerged as a leading voice on the intersection of technology, politics, and geopolitics. Born in Tunis and educated in France, she specialises in technopolitics, the influence of Big Tech, and the democratic challenges posed by artificial intelligence and social media.
Early Life and Education
Asma Mhalla was born on 26 March 1984 in Tunis, Tunisia. She is the granddaughter of Mohamed Mhalla, a prominent jurisconsulte and leader in the decolonial movement. Her father, a senior civil servant who later became an entrepreneur, raised her after her parents’ divorce when she was 12. Mhalla attended the Lycée Français de Tunis and earned a scholarship to study in France, where she pursued preparatory classes at Lycée Janson-de-Sailly before enrolling at ESCP Business School. She later obtained a doctorate in political science from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS).
Career and Expertise
Mhalla began her professional career in investment banking at BNP Paribas, an experience she credits with structuring her work ethic. After a health-related break in 2016, she shifted focus to digital policy, influenced by theorists like Bernard Harcourt. She is now an associate researcher at the Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Politique (LAP) of CNRS/EHESS and teaches at Sciences Po Paris, École Polytechnique, and Columbia Global Centers. Her work analyses the geopolitical implications of Big Tech, AI, and disinformation, advising governments and institutions on technology policy. In 2023, she hosted the radio programme CyberPouvoirs on France Inter.
Key Publications and Contributions
Mhalla’s writings explore how technology reshapes democracy and power structures. Her 2024 book, Technopolitique: Comment la technologie fait de nous des soldats, argues that dual-use technologies create new forms of power, warning against the privatisation of technopolitical infrastructures by Big Tech. Her latest work, Cyberpunk: Le nouveau système totalitaire (2025), draws on cyberpunk themes to critique contemporary authoritarianism and cognitive manipulation. She has also contributed to collective works and holds a column in Les Échos.
Key Facts and Biography
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth | 26 March 1984, Tunis, Tunisia |
| Nationality | French and Tunisian |
| Education | Lycée Français de Tunis, Lycée Janson-de-Sailly, ESCP Business School, EHESS (Doctorate) |
| Key Roles | Associate Researcher at LAP (CNRS/EHESS), Lecturer at Sciences Po, Polytechnique, Columbia GC |
| Major Works | Technopolitique (2024), Cyberpunk (2025), CyberPouvoirs (2023 radio series) |
| Expertise | Technopolitics, Big Tech geopolitics, AI democratic challenges, disinformation |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Asma Mhalla’s age?
Asma Mhalla was born on 26 March 1984, making her 41 years old as of 2026.
What is Asma Mhalla’s origin?
She is of Tunisian origin, born in Tunis, and holds dual French and Tunisian nationality.
Is Asma Mhalla married?
Yes, she is married to Cyril Lacarrière, an entrepreneur involved in digital and technological fields.
Where does Asma Mhalla currently work?
She is an associate researcher at the Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Politique (EHESS/CNRS) and teaches at Sciences Po Paris, École Polytechnique, and Columbia Global Centers.
What are Asma Mhalla’s main books?
Her notable publications include Technopolitique: Comment la technologie fait de nous des soldats (2024) and Cyberpunk: Le nouveau système totalitaire (2025).