emocratic resiliency is often measured by continuity. In a world frequently defined by disruption, upheaval threatens continuity and thus resiliency can face serious challenges. The growing impact of AI on every facet of life is the latest disruption. This upheaval is liable to be exploited by modern strongmen and autocracies.
The advances in AI technology have far outpaced our ability to utilize it responsibly, and more importantly, to understand its short and long-term effects on democratic institutions. As AI ushers us into a brave new world of societal and political change, there is plenty of room to leverage lessons from current governance frameworks. In parallel, it is imperative for leaders to rethink and update policies and structures now to ease the tension between the speed of technological progress and the adoption of it by society. Leaders must address this now to ensure advances in AI benefit a fragile democratic ecosystem while preventing misuse by illiberal actors.
AI has no political leaning; it has no sinister plot or benevolent cause. It is a technology that can be harnessed by people who do have agendas and motives. There is no doubt that AI is revolutionary, but leaders need to realize that it still affects people and institutions much like other technological revolutions have in the past—and they must be practical about its use and governance. As fast as it evolves, AI is still in its early stages. There is a risk of non-democratic governments engaging in shaping AI standards and guidelines; now is the time for democratic leaders to address its implications.
Technology waits for no one and no law. The societal tension associated with the rise of AI has made this clear. Thus, leaders cannot wait before integrating specific and actionable changes to policy and governance structures regarding AI. Democratic resiliency can be secured with the help of these types of changes at the highest level. In a way, change is continuity. However, change needs to be initiated by democratic leaders, not as a reaction to the technologies that disrupt that continuity.
It is time for leaders to challenge and disrupt the status quo in their own ways and not be guided by the whims of technology. We must try to move faster than AI, or at least fast enough to ensure the healthy perseverance, yet improvement of democratic institutions and democratic resiliency.
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Preserving Institutional Democracy in the Age of AI
Image via Adobe Stock.
January 13, 2024
To preserve democratic institutions in the age of AI, leaders must take agency rather than be pushed by the whims of technology. In this way democratic leaders can shape AI standards and guidelines and ensure tech serves, not undermines, our institutions, writes Thomas E. Garrett.
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emocratic resiliency is often measured by continuity. In a world frequently defined by disruption, upheaval threatens continuity and thus resiliency can face serious challenges. The growing impact of AI on every facet of life is the latest disruption. This upheaval is liable to be exploited by modern strongmen and autocracies.
The advances in AI technology have far outpaced our ability to utilize it responsibly, and more importantly, to understand its short and long-term effects on democratic institutions. As AI ushers us into a brave new world of societal and political change, there is plenty of room to leverage lessons from current governance frameworks. In parallel, it is imperative for leaders to rethink and update policies and structures now to ease the tension between the speed of technological progress and the adoption of it by society. Leaders must address this now to ensure advances in AI benefit a fragile democratic ecosystem while preventing misuse by illiberal actors.
AI has no political leaning; it has no sinister plot or benevolent cause. It is a technology that can be harnessed by people who do have agendas and motives. There is no doubt that AI is revolutionary, but leaders need to realize that it still affects people and institutions much like other technological revolutions have in the past—and they must be practical about its use and governance. As fast as it evolves, AI is still in its early stages. There is a risk of non-democratic governments engaging in shaping AI standards and guidelines; now is the time for democratic leaders to address its implications.
Technology waits for no one and no law. The societal tension associated with the rise of AI has made this clear. Thus, leaders cannot wait before integrating specific and actionable changes to policy and governance structures regarding AI. Democratic resiliency can be secured with the help of these types of changes at the highest level. In a way, change is continuity. However, change needs to be initiated by democratic leaders, not as a reaction to the technologies that disrupt that continuity.
It is time for leaders to challenge and disrupt the status quo in their own ways and not be guided by the whims of technology. We must try to move faster than AI, or at least fast enough to ensure the healthy perseverance, yet improvement of democratic institutions and democratic resiliency.
