AI and democracy
We cannot deny that AI is changing how our world operates. So what does this mean for democracy?
Helen Margetts examines how AI is changing the flow of information, collective action, citizen engagement, and why its democratic impact cannot be understood in isolation from other digital platforms. She will consider the challenges and opportunities this new technological era presents for democratic governance. Following the talk from Helen Margetts, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. The event will conclude with a drinks reception.
Meet our speaker and chair
Helen Margetts is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy in the Department of Government and Director of the Data Science Institute (DSI). She joined LSE in September 2026 to lead the DSI as it evolves into the Global Institute for Frontier Technologies and Society. She has researched and written extensively about the relationship between technology, politics, public policy, and government, publishing over 150 articles and six books, including Political Turbulence: How Social Media Shape Collective Action (Princeton University Press) which won the Political Studies Association’s WJM Mackenzie prize for best politics book in 2017. She is currently completing her seventh book, AI and Digital Era Governance, which examines how government’s capabilities, position within society, and ability to meet external challenges are all critically shaped by digital change.
Sara Hobolt is the Sutherland Chair in European Institutions and Head of the Department of Government at LSE.
More about this event
Join us on campus or register to watch the event online at LSE Live. LSE Live is the home for our live streams, allowing you to tune in and join the global debate at LSE, wherever you are in the world. If you can't attend live, a video will be made available shortly afterwards on LSE's YouTube channel.
The Data Science Institute is the hub for data science and AI at LSE. We support interdisciplinary research, host a wide programme of events, and facilitate policy engagement and advisory work that places social science expertise at the heart of the design, development, and deployment of AI.
The Department of Government is home to some of the most internationally respected experts in the study of politics. Within the Department, our expertise centres on six sub-disciplinary pillars of political research: Comparative Politics, Conflict Studies, Political Behaviour and Political Psychology, Political Economy and Institutional Analysis, Political Theory, and Public Policy and Public Administration.
Hashtag for this event: #LSEEvents
Any questions?
If you have a query see our Events FAQ or take a look at the information below.
You can also contact us at events@lse.ac.uk.
Many speakers at LSE events also write for LSE Blogs, which present research and critical commentary accessibly for a public audience. Follow LSE British Politics, LSE Business Review, LSE Impact, LSE European Politics and the LSE Review of Books to learn more about the debates our events series present.
If the event is live streamed, automated live captions will be available. Please note that this feature uses Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology, or machine generated transcription and is not 100% accurate.
Photographs are regularly taken at LSE events both by LSE staff and members of the media and events are routinely filmed. Photographs from events taken by LSE staff are often used on LSE's social media accounts, with videos being made available on the LSE Player. If you have any concerns about this please contact the event organiser in advance of the event.
Please contact the Press Office if you would like to request a press seat or have a media query about this event, email LSE.Press.Events@lse.ac.uk. Please note that press seats are usually allocated at least 24 hours before each event.
We aim to make all LSE events available as a podcast subject to receiving permission from the speaker/s to do this, and subject to no technical problems with the recording of the event. Podcasts are normally available 1 week after the event. Podcasts and videos of past events can be found online.
Event updates and other information about what’s happening at LSE can be found on our Facebook page and for live photos from events and around campus, follow us on Instagram.
Livestreams and archive videos of past lectures are shared on our YouTube channel while event podcasts can be found on the LSE Player.
Attending our events in-person or online? Join the conversation using #LSEEvents.
If you are planning to attend this event and would like details on how to get here and what time to arrive, as well as on accessibility and special requirements, please refer to LSE Events FAQ. LSE aims to ensure that people have equal access to these public events, but please contact the events organiser as far as possible in advance if you have any access requirements so that arrangements, where possible, can be made. If the event is ticketed, please ensure you get in touch in advance of the ticket release date. Access Guides to all our venues can be viewed online.
LSE has now introduced wireless for guests and visitors in association with 'The Cloud', also in use at many other locations across the UK. If you are on campus visiting for the day or attending a conference or event, you can connect your device to wireless. See more information and create an account at Join the Cloud.
Visitors from other participating institutions are encouraged to use eduroam. If you are having trouble connecting to eduroam, please contact your home institution for assistance.
The Cloud is only intended for guest and visitor access to wifi. Existing LSE staff and students are encouraged to use eduroam instead.
From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back on this listing on the day of the event.
LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Subscribe to the LSE Events newsletter
