List of Resources
List of Resources
Links to Organizations, Books, Articles, Videos
Organizations
Journal of Democracy, The Collective Intelligence Project, Freedom House
Smarter Together, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD)
Books
Articles
Fostering More Inclusive Democracy with AI by Helene Landemore
Artificial intelligence, democracy and elections by Adam Michael
Website: Artificial Intelligence, Dreams and Fears of a Blue Dot
This website, which I published in February of 2020, contains 18 articles, 6 of them background and 12 of them covering various topics on Artificial Intelligence. Reader may want to refer to them if something I say about AI needs clarification. The Glossary of Terms on the website aims to be comprehensive. The 18 articles are shown in the following video:
Videos
Karl Popper’s “Open Society”
In this 1974 discussion about the concept of the open society, Karl Popper thinks of it as a place where individuals can think freely, without the imposition of unnecessary constraints by society. Within the historical context of his time, he contrasts the openness of Western democracies compared to closed societies like Nazi Germany and communist dictatorships.
Popper critiques the unchecked authority of parliaments and the practical omnipotence of ruling parties, advocating for constitutional changes that would limit such power and uphold the fundamental idea of democracy: to restrain and scrutinize authority rather than consolidate it. I notice that his concerns are just as relevant today as they were then and perhaps even more so when applied to the two major US parties and the tightening grip of party discipline.
Just like we do with our democratic model shown in Reader's Guide, Popper underscores the experimental nature of democracy, suggesting the need for diverse forms to be tested against each other to mitigate unforeseen challenges and the internal contradictions that emerge within the democratic process. He notices the inherent unpredictability of democratic governance, stressing the importance of adaptability to changing circumstances.
Aldous Huxley’s "Brave New World"
Aldous Huxley in his dystopian novel "Brave New World," forewarns of a looming technodictatorship; we can read that nowadays as AI-driven dictatorship. He advocates for the importance of individuality and critical thinking to counteract that trend.
Huxley cautions us against the misuse of technology, noting how Hitler effectively employed propaganda via radio to control Germany. This interview takes place in 1961, and he brings up the potential for television and emerging technologies to similarly manipulate public opinion. He predicts a future where dictators utilize drugs and sophisticated propaganda techniques to subdue populations, appealing to their subconscious desires and leading to an acceptance of oppressive systems.
In discussing democracy, Huxley critiques the erosion of rational choice in political campaigns, where candidates are marketed like products, bypassing the electorate's rational faculties. He underscores the necessity of informed, conscious voting for the preservation of democracy.
But despite the challenges posed by advancing technology and manipulative tactics and very much in the spirit of our publication, Huxley retains faith in the democratic process, advocating for a synergy between the creative endeavors of both leaders and citizens.
Chomsky-Foucault Debate on Power versus Justice
In this 1971 debate on power versus justice, we see contrasting perspectives on the relationship between power, justice, and the realization of human potential within societal structures. We will have the opportunity to refer to these perspectives many times in the publication, especially when we argue that AI can contribute significantly to that realization of human potential.
Chomsky talks about the need for human societies to maximize opportunities for creative expression and free creation by minimizing repression and coercion inherent in existing social structures. He advocates for an anarcho-syndicalist system of federated, decentralized free associations, arguing that it would allow for the realization of intrinsic human nature without reducing individuals to just cogs in a machine.
For Chomsky it is important to understand the power dynamics within current societal institutions, including economic and financial systems, while intellectually envisioning a more just society. Acknowledging the limitations and the uncertainties inherent in political action, Chomsky asserts the necessity of bold speculation and the creation of social theories based on partial knowledge to guide efforts towards achieving meaningful social transformation.
In response, Foucault expresses skepticism towards the idea of an absolute basis for justice grounded in fundamental human qualities, challenging the notion that existing systems of justice are solely mechanisms of class oppression.
While acknowledging the presence of oppressive elements within these systems, Foucault argues that they also embody aspirations towards justice, decency, and compassion. He cautions against oversimplifying history and argues for a nuanced understanding of the complexities inherent in societal structures and power dynamics. Ties in with Popper’s idea of adaptability in governance, seen in the clip above.
Foucault also calls attention to the importance of critically examining the limitations and biases within intellectual frameworks and societal norms while remaining open to the possibility of being far from achieving true justice.
It is the common acceptance by the two debaters of this experiential and incomplete nature of democratic governance that is of most value to us in this publication.
John Dewey's "Democracy and Education"
This is a foundational text in progressive educational thought, showing the symbiotic relationship between education and democracy. Dewey argues that education is not merely a preparation for life but an intrinsic element of democratic living itself. A central idea that we pursue in our publication. His ideas continue to resonate in the 21st century, amidst ongoing debates about educational reform and the evolving role of education.
He advocates for a child-centered, experiential approach to learning, wherein students engage with real-world problems to develop critical thinking skills and a deep understanding of society. Dewey redefines the role of the teacher as a facilitator, guiding students through inquiry and discovery rather than simply imparting knowledge. He wants education to connect new learning to prior experiences and he views schools as microcosms of society, where democratic values and skills are cultivated through cooperative decision-making processes.
Michael Sandel’s Lecture on Justice
In Reader's Guide, we have a section titled Why Does Morality Occupy Such a Central Role In this Publication? Hopefully, we provided a good answer but we should supplement that answer with a more traditional philosophical one. The video clip below shows that there are nuanced views on morality, and the main difference between the consequentialist morality and categorical morality is of special interest to us.
For example, when we treat democracy as a game, we may set the objective of the game be to “maximize the well-being for the largest number of citizens”. It’s good to weigh this consequentialist view in situations where a more categorical approach would be more suitable. And we encounter that dilemma many times, because in this publication we tend to follow Kant’s categorical morality.
Sandel looks at a number of moral dilemmas. The scenario of a runaway trolley presents a stark choice: divert the trolley to kill one person instead of five. Most people opt for the lesser harm, aligning with consequentialist moral reasoning, which prioritizes minimizing harm.
However, when faced with the prospect of actively pushing a bystander to stop the trolley, most hesitate, highlighting the distinction between direct action and passive consequences. This leads to a discussion on categorical moral reasoning, exemplified by Kant's principles, which prioritize moral duties regardless of outcomes.
AI, Democracy, and the Future of Civilization with Yoshua Bengio and Yuval Noah Harari
This is a conversation about the implications of AI on democracy and the future of civilization. Harari states that AI marks a significant departure from previous technologies as it can autonomously make decisions and generate original ideas. This autonomy poses a threat as it could potentially strip humans of power and even create new holy texts or ideologies.
Bengio echoes concerns about AI's immediate threats, particularly in influencing elections through propaganda and misinformation disseminated by large language models. He underscores the urgency of establishing regulations to mitigate risks associated with AI deployment, such as ensuring transparency in human-AI interactions.
The dialogue also highlights the societal impact of AI on job markets, economic disparities, and global power dynamics. Harari warns that AI could exacerbate inequality, empowering a few nations while destabilizing others economically. Moreover, the centralized control of data by tech giants or governments raises questions about national sovereignty and independence.
Despite these challenges, both experts advocate for proactive measures, including regulatory frameworks and societal awareness, to steer AI development towards preserving human values and mitigating potential harms. They stress the need for a collective effort to navigate the ethical and existential dilemmas posed by AI and ensure its alignment with human well-being and democratic principles. We account for those views on regulatory frameworks in the Democratic Regulations of AI essay and for alignment with human values and democratic principles in the AI Language Models as Golems essay.