Abstract
The Western-based utopian dream of internet-enabled technology was to overcome distance, allow widespread participation, and forge a shared view of core political issues on complex matter such as justice, economy, and the environment. Politics increasingly takes to social media platforms, enlisting them as tools for gauging and influencing public opinion. This is the case for the Rousseau platform in Italy, designed by the popular anti-establishment party in Italy, ‘M5S’ or the Five Star Movement. In reference to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in particular his ‘Social Contract’, it promises to deliver politics more directly to the people by proposing legislation in the online space, allowing members to vote via the platform, educating on and discussing regulations, and more. It aligns well with political utopias envisioned by the internet pioneers. The emancipatory potential and political power that AI brings to these platforms, their political developers, and the membership, is immediately apparent. But is there not a darker side to these technologies, as they become more advanced in gathering and analysing data, making intelligent predictions, and subsequently manipulating cognitive tendencies for the purpose of politics? We discuss some of the critiques and technical functions that may cast reasonable doubt on the participatory ideals, particularly related to relational surveillance as a dystopian issue. This may remind us of the Cambridge Analytica effect; but the influence of AI on these political platforms is not (yet) a criminal offence. Can AI enable the direct democracy which internet pioneers envisioned, or is it actually bringing us the totalitarian nightmare of the ‘Brave New World’? If we harness AI to bring about greater democracy, individual empowerment, and emancipation of societies - this would bring about better worlds. But these tools so easily become corrupt. Is there not a darker side to these technologies, as they become more advanced in surveillance practices, making intelligent predictions, andsubsequently manipulating cognitive tendencies for the purpose of politics?
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the European Conference on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics |
| Pages | 146-153 |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Oct 2020 |
| Event | European Conference on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics - Duration: 22 Oct 2020 → 23 Oct 2020 https://www.academic-conferences.org/conferences/eciair/ |
Conference
| Conference | European Conference on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics |
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| Abbreviated title | ECIAIR |
| Period | 22/10/20 → 23/10/20 |
| Internet address |