My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of... circuitry?

Will the intelligent machine drain the swamp of rampant political corruption, or overflow it with unforeseen consequences - breaking the dam? In our current day, we find a decidedly split jury in sentiments towards AI. On one end, we find the techno-acolytes who eagerly seek AI implementation in every feasible way. Some even dream of merging their own human selves with technology! On the other end, we find the skeptics, who believe the entire AI venture will ultimately damn human autonomy. Likewise, their tinfoil-hatters foresee the "machine massacres," which sci-fi has taught them are inevitable.

The noisy extremes and utter lack of comprehensive information are exhausting. Amidst this overwhelming cacophony of opinions and prejudices, but also undeniable potential - what does this mean regarding the role AI should play in governance, if any? We will be delving deeper into this multifaceted debate, exploring the potential impact of AI on various aspects of democracy - from elections and policy-making, to citizen engagement, and the very nature of political representation. By examining both the hopes and the anxieties surrounding AI's role in governance, we can begin to chart a path forward that safeguards democratic values while harnessing the transformative potential of this rapidly evolving technology.

The Little Me

The 2016 US presidential election was many things, but inarguably we could agree it was a wake-up call. The revelation of foreign actors successfully infiltrating social media platforms to sow their own interests at the highest level of American democracy, demonstrated that our democracy is the most vulnerable it's ever been - largely attributable to the same tech revolution which stands to give us magic. Beyond the "fakes news" and "it's the Russians!" headlines we were inundated with, what we conveniently didn't hear (for the good of the market, of course) was a condemnation of the means which enabled it all: Artificial Intelligence. While this is no way an accusation at AI itself, it nonetheless served as the primary enabler for the exploitation of our quite real human vulnerabilities. All human beings ultimately capitulate to the emotional self - a truth which a machine can neither empathize with nor sense the gravitas of - but, they have proven more than privy at eliciting and influencing these same emotions they have no means of comprehending. Anxiety and hope, while very powerful, are also not difficult to inflict on people - and even as you read this, your device has already been secretly whispering to you on behalf of top-bidding billionaires. Playing with things in real-world application which pose volatile and unpredictable possibilities may prove quite damning indeed.

Microtargeting in the construction of your very own digital Coraline doll, made wittier each and every time you touch the screen. It sees your social media activity, it sees your shopping, your contacts, your browsing history, physical location, social security number, etc. This little spy consolidates everything there is to know about you, secrets included, and forms your very own psychological profile and dossier of effective marketing techniques to use on you. These profiles, or rather access to them, are then sold for top billing to political campaigns to craft eerily personalized messages - designed to embolden a heavy pathos appeal, and exploit the emotions of the receiving constituent. The everyday American scrolls on Facebook and sees an ad, an assumedly general ad. But, oh no: you see, at your job you were recently PIP'd, and you feel like your ability to provide for your family is on razor thin ice as it is. This doll knows your worries damn well, and subtly plays on these anxieties about economic security, highlighting a particular candidate's promise to bring back jobs to your community. 'Hell, I may very well need one of those soon, who cares what else, I'll take that one!' Or, perhaps you're an activist or a bigot (thin line there), and thus your doll deliberately stokes your anger towards a particular social group, linking them to a perceived imminent threat to your way of life. These messages are neither random, nor are they crafted by human hands. Algorithms trained to identify and exploit the emotional triggers that drive your political decisions are among us, and impressively good at their jobs. The proponents of the doll may also be skeptical of the means, but highly value the end. They believe that this is the ticket to breaking through to the next league of customer service and satisfaction - one could respect that. However, the detractors see this as breaking Pandora's box wide open for digital emotional manipulation and exploitation. They worry that Americans would find themselves deep in partisan echo chambers, unchallenged in ideology, and that such unnatural constant affirmation could quickly lead to a society without discourse altogether.

The Objective Anti-Partisan

Having exposed the unsettling reality of AI's manipulation in elections, we now turn our attention to another critical pillar of democracy: governance itself. As AI's capabilities continue to accelerate at an unprecedented rate, a crucial question emerges: should this technology be entrusted with the reins of governmental decision-making? Should we allow it to steer the ship of state, relegate it to the passenger seat, or banish it from the vehicle altogether? But before we hand over the keys to the kingdom, it's crucial to acknowledge a fundamental truth: machines, like their human creators, are far from infallible. While we are susceptible to emotional manipulation, they are vulnerable to data manipulation – a fatal flaw when considering a future where AI holds the power to shape our lives. Imagine a world where policy decisions are based on skewed or incomplete data, where algorithms perpetuate existing biases and inequalities, or where critical infrastructure is held hostage by malicious actors who know how to exploit the vulnerabilities of these complex systems.

As political polarization continues to deepen, eroding public trust in institutions and hindering effective governance, many have begun to wonder if there might be a technological solution to this overwhelmingly human problem. Could artificial intelligence, with its ability to process vast amounts of information and identify patterns beyond human comprehension, offer a path towards a more objective and less partisan approach to political decision-making? The allure of an "objective anti-partisan" is undeniable. Imagine an AI system that can analyze the full spectrum of political viewpoints, identify common ground, and propose solutions that transcend ideological divides. This could lead to more effective policymaking, increased public trust in government, and a more unified and productive society. However, the dream of an AI-powered political savior is fraught with challenges and potential pitfalls. Before we anoint AI as the arbiter of political truth, it's crucial to examine both its potential and its limitations. One of the central arguments for using AI in politics is that algorithms are inherently objective, unlike their human counterparts who are often swayed by emotions, biases, and personal interests. However, this notion of algorithmic objectivity is, in truth, a myth. AI systems are trained on data, and that data is inevitably shaped by human biases. If the data used to train an AI system reflects existing societal biases, the resulting algorithms may perpetuate or even amplify those biases. For example, an AI system trained on historical crime data that disproportionately targets certain racial groups may recommend policies that further disadvantage those communities. Similarly, an AI system trained on biased news articles may generate summaries that reinforce existing prejudices.

The Public Court of Bionic Opinion

Having explored the potential pitfalls of AI in elections and policy-making, we now turn our attention to its potential impact on citizen engagement. In an increasingly digital world, where information flows freely and opinions are shared instantly, can AI help us create more informed, engaged, and participatory democracies? The rise of social media and online platforms has undoubtedly transformed the way citizens interact with their governments and each other. These platforms have created new avenues for expressing opinions, sharing information, and organizing collective action. However, they have also been plagued by challenges such as filter bubbles, echo chambers, the spread of misinformation, and the difficulty of fostering meaningful dialogue across diverse perspectives. Could AI help us overcome these challenges and create a more robust and inclusive public sphere? Proponents of AI-powered citizen engagement envision a future where algorithms can facilitate well-informed public discourse, empower marginalized communities, and provide much needed transparency. The vision of a more informed and engaged citizenry, empowered by AI-driven tools and platforms, is undeniably appealing. By providing citizens with the information and tools they need to participate effectively in democratic processes, we can create a more vibrant and responsive democracy.

However, the path towards AI-powered citizen engagement is not without its perils. One significant concern is the potential for algorithmic control and manipulation. If the algorithms that shape our online experiences are controlled by a small number of powerful corporations or governments, they could be used to manipulate public opinion, censor dissenting voices, and reinforce existing power structures. For example, an AI system that personalizes news feeds could be programmed, as alluded to earlier, to prioritize information that supports a particular political agenda, creating echo chambers where citizens are only exposed to information that confirms their existing biases. Furthermore, AI systems could be used to identify and target individuals who are perceived as threats to the status quo, potentially leading to censorship or even persecution. The future of citizen engagement in an AI-shaped world is uncertain. However, by embracing a human-centric approach, we can harness AI's potential to create a more informed, engaged, and participatory democracy. The "Public Court of Bionic Opinion" may not be a perfect forum, but it could be a powerful tool for fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and empowering citizens to shape their societies' future. Human oversight of the machine and accountability to the people would be essential in the establishment of a forum the skeptical public could trust.

The Roo- Black Box Where it Happens?

Throughout this exploration, a recurring theme has emerged: the tension between the promise of technological advancement and the risks of relinquishing control to complex systems we may not fully understand. This tension is particularly acute when considering the "black box" nature of many AI algorithms. The term "black box" refers to the opacity of certain AI systems. While we can observe their inputs and outputs, the internal workings – the complex calculations and decision-making processes – are often hidden. This lack of transparency raises serious concerns about accountability, fairness, and the potential for unintended consequences, especially when these systems are deployed in high-stakes domains like governance. When we rely on AI systems to make decisions that have significant implications for our lives – such as loan applications, job offers, or even parole eligibility – we are essentially placing our trust in a technology that we may not fully comprehend. This can create a sense of unease and a feeling of losing control over our own destinies. If an individual is denied a loan or a job opportunity based on an AI-driven assessment, they may have no way of understanding why. The algorithm's decision-making process is hidden within the black box, leaving the individual with a sense of powerlessness and frustration. This lack of transparency can erode public trust in AI systems and foster a climate of suspicion and mistrust, particularly among those who have historically been marginalized or discriminated against. If we are to embrace AI as a tool for governance and decision-making, we must address the black box problem and ensure that these systems are transparent and accountable.

The opacity of AI systems also poses challenges for accountability. If an AI system makes a mistake or produces a discriminatory outcome, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible. Is it the developers who created the algorithm? The organization that deployed it? Or the AI system itself? Without transparency into the inner workings of the algorithm, it can be impossible to identify the source of the problem and hold the responsible parties accountable. This lack of accountability can create a dangerous environment where AI systems are free to operate without any meaningful oversight or regulation. It also undermines the fundamental principles of democratic governance, which rely on transparency and accountability to ensure that power is exercised responsibly and in the best interests of the public. Recognizing the importance of transparency and accountability, researchers are working to develop "explainable AI" – algorithms that are designed to be more transparent and understandable. Explainable AI techniques aim to provide insights into the decision-making processes of AI systems, allowing humans to understand why a particular decision was made. For example, such an AI system might provide a visual representation of the factors that contributed to a loan application being denied, or it might generate a natural language explanation of why a particular medical diagnosis was made. By making AI systems more explainable, we can increase public trust, improve accountability, and reduce the risk of unintended consequences. The path forward requires a commitment to open dialogue, collaboration between stakeholders, and a willingness to adapt our governance structures to the unique challenges posed by this rapidly evolving technology. Only then can we hope to harness the full potential of AI while safeguarding the democratic values that are essential to a just and equitable society.

Cobi Tadros is a Business Analyst & Azure Certified Administrator with The Training Boss. Cobi possesses his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida, and his Bachelors in Music from the New England Conservatory of Music.  Cobi is certified on Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft SQL Server, with ongoing training on Python and cloud database tools. Cobi is also a passionate, professionally-trained opera singer, and occasionally engages in musical events with the local Orlando community.  His passion for writing and the humanities brings an artistic flair with him to all his work!