NEWS Artificial intelligence (AI) undermines democracy. What can we do about it? That was the primary question during the AI for Humanity and Society 2024 conference—a meeting place for leading researchers on the impact of AI on humanity and society, policymakers, and business representatives. The conference is part of the national research program Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanity and Society (WASP-HS), coordinated by Umeå University.
Mark Coeckelbergh, WASP-HS Guest Professor at Uppsala University, presents at AI for Humanity 2024.
ImageHanna NordinIn a time when visions of the future are often shaped by conflicts, climate crises, and the rapid development of technology, the conference aimed to highlight more hopeful scenarios. One such scenario was presented by Mark Coeckelbergh, WASP-HS guest professor at Uppsala University, who discussed how AI affects democracy and emphasized the importance of protecting citizens’ ability to shape their own beliefs. He pointed out the risk of AI being used to manipulate information and opinions, which could threaten the foundations of democracy.
“Democracy is about creating a shared world where we exchange perspectives and experiences. If we fail at this, we risk a development where governance happens through stricter obedience and diminished personal freedom,” he explained.
Annette Markham, professor of media literacy and public engagement at Utrecht University, challenged participants to question the ideological pressure to use AI in all contexts. She stressed that the development of technology, including AI, does not occur by itself or is predetermined, but is the result of active choices and decisions made by people.
“When a company says ‘AI is our future,’ the ideological power behind that statement becomes clear. It serves certain interests by reinforcing the narrative of AI as an unstoppable, inevitable force,” she said.
To address the challenges of AI and its impact on society, several speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration and the need to strengthen the discussion on how AI affects real people’s lives.
“We design AI, which means we have the power to influence how the technology is shaped and used. If we are not part of the discussion about who designs it and why, others will decide for us,” said Virginia Dignum, Professor of Responsible AI at Umeå University.
“To tackle these challenges, we must shift focus from stories about technology to stories about people and society, and the societal impact of AI. We also need to move from speculative thinking to aspirational thinking. What kind of world do we want to live in? This requires us to be more proactive and courageous,” concluded Markham.