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Artificial Intelligence and Democracy

Artificial intelligence (AI) creates opportunities to strengthen democracy and public debates but it also challenges existing democratic norms.
Artificial intelligence (AI) creates opportunities to strengthen democracy and public debates but it also challenges existing democratic norms.
Monday 23 May 2022 | 1 hour 20 minutes 14 seconds

Public administrations increasingly use AI to automatise the allocation of public services. Judges use risk-assessment algorithms to determine a person’s eligibility for bail or parole. Social media platforms use AI to optimise content moderation, while political actors can use these platforms to engage in microtargeting and misinformation. And law enforcement agencies can use facial recognition systems and predictive analytics to strengthen surveillance. This new reality requires careful examination: Who should be responsible for selecting principles of AI governance? How can we align the decisions of AI systems with democratic values? Are "black box" algorithms undermining transparency and our capacity to exercise scrutiny over public decisions? Panellists reflect on these and related questions and engage with the audience.