Artificial Intelligence Reshaping the Future of Democracy cientific progress is yielding new technological tools that can deliver great benefits for society. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in particular, is having a worldwide impact on many sectors and, if harnessed appropriately, it could even help us to achieve the 17 ambitious global goals world leaders set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Great care and effort are required however if this is to be the case.
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Technology by itself is, of course, politically neutral and the way it will shape societies
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IRAKLI BERIDZE Head of the Centre for AI and Robotics of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)
and political organizations very much depends on its implementation by both the public and private sector, and its adaption through citizens. If we do not tread this path with great caution, it may raise very real and serious human rights concerns. This can be extremely damaging and undermine the trust placed in government by communities. Human rights, civil liberties and even the fundamental principles of law may be unacceptably exposed, or even irreparably damaged. Yet, AI can also strengthen and preserve the democratic values of liberty and equality.
Global connectivity has brought undoubted benefits and convenience and has enriched the societal discourse through new forms of communication. The traditional unilateral communication instruments wielded by established media have been disrupted into multilateral digital communication and social media platforms. Standard social hierarchies are mutating into flat structures where anybody is approachable by a direct message. This closer interface between people and government promotes citizens involvement into the political
