Who Decides: AI, Democracy and the shift in power

Online conference, 17 November 14:30 – 15:45

When you go online, the information you find, the messages you see, the ads you receive – they are all selected by algorithmic systems, by Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’). Content is not promoted by objectiveness, or substance, but by what generates the most profit. The result? A flood of disinformation, and harmful effects for democracy, as people are pushed to ever-more extreme views.

Gaining new actuality during the Covid-19 crisis, the creation of a healthier online information environment must be discussed. Should platforms take more responsibility for content? Or is their scale and commercial business model the problem? How can we assure the exercise of power via algorithmic systems is accountable to public and individual scrutiny? And do we need new forms of citizen involvement in the deployment of these systems?

These questions will be addressed at the webinar ‘Who Decides: AI, Democracy and the shift in power’ which will take place on November 17th, between 14:30 and 15:45. This event is co-organised by FEPS and the German Trade Union Federation and is part of the Annual Digital Capitalism Conference #DigiCap by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).

Speakers:

– Paul Nemitz, Principal Advisor in the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers of the European Commission

– Seda Gürses, Associate Professor in the Department of Multi-Actor Systems at TU Delft at the Faculty of Technology Policy and Management, an affiliate at the COSIC Group at the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven; and founding member of The Institute for Technology in the Public Interest.

Practical Info:

– November 17th, between 14:30 and 15:45

– Via Zoom

– The discussion will be held in English, with German translation. Register here (form in DE) and  visit the official page of the event (in EN and DE)

Related Content:

– Report by FEPS and SAMAK: ‘Progressive Approach to Digital Tech

– Publication by FEPS and Fabian Society: ‘Public Service Futures: Welfare States in the Digital Age’

– Progressive Post article by Paul Nemitz: “No reason for AI and GAFAM to escape democratic oversight”

– Progressive Post article by Ivana Bartoletti: “Protecting Health and Data Privacy’

– FEPS Talks Podcast Episode with Ivana Bartoletti and Justin Nogarede: Artificial Intelligence: power and politics