Fareed Zakaria, journalist and author, recently discussed the revolutionary nature of the digital era and the potential impact of AI on liberal democracy. In an interview with Sean Illing for Vox.com, Zakaria compared the Industrial Revolution to the current digital era, highlighting the transformative power of both. The Industrial Revolution shifted society from an agricultural to an industrial one, while the digital era is expected to exponentially multiply the power of the human brain through AI and gene engineering. Zakaria noted the political disruptions caused by these revolutions, with initial opposition from the right to the Industrial Revolution and subsequent embrace of capitalism, and the left's shift towards regulation. The rise of identity, culture, and nationalism in politics was also discussed, with different manifestations in various countries. The stakes, according to Zakaria, are the future of liberal democracy, as the forces of change have displaced and radicalized people, leading to a desire to tear down the system. While the potential implosion of liberalism due to innovation and change was acknowledged, Zakaria expressed hope that liberalism will find a way to revive itself.
Alberto Fernandez Gibaja, International IDEA's Head of Digitalization and Democracy, also discussed the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on elections and disinformation. In a podcast hosted by Alistair Scrutton, Head of Communications, Gibaja emphasized the importance of understanding how elections work to protect against disinformation. The conversation took place in relation to the 2024 Election Super-Cycle. Gibaja highlighted the need for policymakers and electoral management bodies to be aware of the potential risks and challenges posed by AI in elections, including the spread of disinformation. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) was mentioned as the source of the podcast.
Scott Klug, in an opinion piece for Daily Record News, highlighted the potential impact of AI on the US election system. Klug expressed concern about the potential for misinformation and the limited ability of election officials to respond to artificial intelligence. He noted that the new technology arrives at a time when society is still grappling with social media threats and has not fully understood or addressed them. As the US heads into election season, the potential for misinformation is enormous, and the challenges posed by AI in elections are significant. Klug emphasized the need for election officials to be proactive in understanding and addressing the potential risks and consequences of AI in the election system.
Eduardo Levy Yeyati, an Argentine economist, discusses the impact of AI on politics, economy, and society. He highlights that AI will lead to fewer jobs in the long term and emphasizes the need for adaptation and focusing on human skills such as empathy, understanding, and creativity. He suggests that with fewer jobs, there should be a redistribution of resources through investing in public goods, implementing basic income, and teaching people to organize their lives around activities other than paid work. Levy Yeyati also discusses the impact of AI on migration processes, stating that AI could potentially lessen the need for immigration by replacing workers. He notes that AI has a greater impact on politics than the other way around, as governments have little control over technology. He warns that the tension created by AI's impact on jobs and society can lead to outsider populism and calls for political action to prevent disorganization and social unrest. Levy Yeyati envisions a future where AI allows individuals to decouple their activities from paid work, giving them more time to explore their humanity.
Rod Miller, in an opinion piece for Cowboy State Daily, discusses the fear and skepticism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential role in politics. He argues that AI could serve to unite citizens by removing personal attacks and allowing for logical decision-making. Miller emphasizes that AI is a human creation and should be seen as an extension of ourselves, not a replacement. He acknowledges the potential for both utopian and dystopian outcomes with AI but encourages embracing new technologies and exploring their potential. Miller concludes by stating that if AI can improve human life, he supports it and does not feel threatened by it.
Madhumita Murgia, the AI editor at and author of the book 'Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI', discusses the harmful effects of algorithms on ordinary people and the need for regulation and ethical considerations in AI. Murgia highlights the issue of data colonialism, where tech companies extract data from marginalized groups without providing them with the full benefits of AI systems. She emphasizes the undervalued labor of data workers and the need for fair pay and labor rights. Murgia also discusses the importance of protecting journalists from copyright infringement by AI and the role of sci-fi in expanding our imagination of the possibilities and consequences of AI. She concludes by expressing hope in collective action and the potential for AI to do good in areas like healthcare and science, while preserving what makes us human.
Diane Coyle, in an op-ed for Jamaica Gleaner, discusses the concept of a 'time tax' in the digital economy. Coyle highlights how individuals spend a significant amount of time online for work and leisure activities, which she refers to as the 'time tax'. She points out that digital technologies have shifted certain tasks from paid professionals to unpaid work by customers, such as automated checkouts and self-service tax filing. Coyle raises concerns about the potential labor-market disruption caused by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, citing a study suggesting that nearly 20% of US workers are vulnerable to automation. She questions whether the benefits of digital innovation are being shared with consumers and emphasizes the need for accurate metrics to measure the value created by technology. Coyle argues that technological advances should simplify life and generate more value than they destroy, with a focus on improving people's lives in meaningful ways. [1214ff04]