Hardback
Artificial Intelligence and Democracy
Risks and Promises of AI-Mediated Citizen–Government Relations
9781788977302 Edward Elgar Publishing
This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 License. It is free to read, download and share on Elgaronline.com.
This insightful book explores the citizen-government relation, as mediated through artificial intelligence (AI). Through a critical lens, Jérôme Duberry examines the role of AI in the relation and its implications for the quality of liberal democracy and the strength of civic capacity.
This insightful book explores the citizen-government relation, as mediated through artificial intelligence (AI). Through a critical lens, Jérôme Duberry examines the role of AI in the relation and its implications for the quality of liberal democracy and the strength of civic capacity.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
This insightful book explores the citizen-government relation, as mediated through artificial intelligence (AI). Through a critical lens, Jérôme Duberry examines the role of AI in the relation and its implications for the quality of liberal democracy and the strength of civic capacity.
In his analysis of AI, Duberry covers three key objectives: illustrating where and how AI is used in the context of citizen-government relations; highlighting the specific risks of using AI for citizen-government relations; and calling for a dedicated framework for assessing AI in these contexts. The author assesses the promises and pitfalls of AI at various levels of the citizen-government relation, including citizen participation, civic technology and political communication. Employing empirical findings from in-depth case studies and interviews with 40 experts in the field, the book stresses the burgeoning need for an innovative, human-centric management of AI in the citizen-government relation based on risk assessment that prioritises equality, freedom, human rights and popular sovereignty.
Intervening at a key watershed in the history of digital politics, this timely book is key reading for researchers and scholars of political science and public policy, particularly those studying the digital landscape of contemporary policy and politics. It also offers significant empirical insights into the benefits and risks of AI for policymakers and civil servants working with new technologies.
In his analysis of AI, Duberry covers three key objectives: illustrating where and how AI is used in the context of citizen-government relations; highlighting the specific risks of using AI for citizen-government relations; and calling for a dedicated framework for assessing AI in these contexts. The author assesses the promises and pitfalls of AI at various levels of the citizen-government relation, including citizen participation, civic technology and political communication. Employing empirical findings from in-depth case studies and interviews with 40 experts in the field, the book stresses the burgeoning need for an innovative, human-centric management of AI in the citizen-government relation based on risk assessment that prioritises equality, freedom, human rights and popular sovereignty.
Intervening at a key watershed in the history of digital politics, this timely book is key reading for researchers and scholars of political science and public policy, particularly those studying the digital landscape of contemporary policy and politics. It also offers significant empirical insights into the benefits and risks of AI for policymakers and civil servants working with new technologies.
Critical Acclaim
‘The work presented in this book is considerable and remarkable. This book, a true state of the art of transdisciplinary knowledge on the subject, constitutes a reference in this new field of study.’
– Solange Ghernaouti, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland
‘The author has tackled an extremely important topic at a pivotal moment. And he has done so with a structurally sound book that explores both the positive and negative potential afforded by digital technologies relating to democracy. Most importantly, there are well-substantiated conclusions found here on how exactly the tectonic shifts created by AI can be better understood and managed in democratic societies.’
– Steven J. Barela, Université de Genève, Switzerland
‘This is a remarkable effort to offer an insightful understanding of the complex place and functions that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is acquiring in contemporary politics and society. This is definitely a necessary and illuminating contribution to our understanding of the many opportunities and risks that the increasing use of AI unfolds for democratic participation.’
– Josep Ibañez, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
– Solange Ghernaouti, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland
‘The author has tackled an extremely important topic at a pivotal moment. And he has done so with a structurally sound book that explores both the positive and negative potential afforded by digital technologies relating to democracy. Most importantly, there are well-substantiated conclusions found here on how exactly the tectonic shifts created by AI can be better understood and managed in democratic societies.’
– Steven J. Barela, Université de Genève, Switzerland
‘This is a remarkable effort to offer an insightful understanding of the complex place and functions that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is acquiring in contemporary politics and society. This is definitely a necessary and illuminating contribution to our understanding of the many opportunities and risks that the increasing use of AI unfolds for democratic participation.’
– Josep Ibañez, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
Contents
Contents: Introduction 1. AI to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of public services 2. Policy entrepreneurs: Skills and resources to identify and
exploit open policy windows 3. AI and information dissemination: Challenging citizens’ access to relevant and reliable information 4. AI in public and private forms of surveillance: Challenging trust in the citizen–government relations 5. AI and the persuasion industry: Eroding the policy entrepreneurial resources and skills of citizens 6. AI and the weaponization of information: Hybrid threats against trust between citizens and democratic institutions 7. AI and civic tech: Engaging citizens in decision-making processes but not without risks Concluding remarks Index
exploit open policy windows 3. AI and information dissemination: Challenging citizens’ access to relevant and reliable information 4. AI in public and private forms of surveillance: Challenging trust in the citizen–government relations 5. AI and the persuasion industry: Eroding the policy entrepreneurial resources and skills of citizens 6. AI and the weaponization of information: Hybrid threats against trust between citizens and democratic institutions 7. AI and civic tech: Engaging citizens in decision-making processes but not without risks Concluding remarks Index
