Are we ready for AI in our fragile democracy?

Some time back there was the Industrial Revolution when machines surpassed the limits of our muscles and now there is Artificial Intelligence (AI) which is surpassing the limits of our brain. This is going to be an enormous revolution which will change every aspect of our lives — from social to cultural.

While surfing the internet we leave behind our digital footprints, and big data giants are using these footprints to know more information about us. While we think that we are searching Google, the search engine is actually probing us. Same is the case with Facebook and other social media applications which are using our digital footprint to know about our political, social and religious views and affiliation. Through AI they can create filter bubbles and echo chambers.

Filter bubbles also act as invisible propaganda. They force people to believe that the information they consume represents the undisputed truth and thereby amplify partisanship. Eli Pariser, an internet activist who coined the term “filter bubble”, said, “Left to their own devices, personalization filters serve up a kind of invisible autopropaganda, indoctrinating us with our own ideas, amplifying our desires for the things that are familiar and leaving us oblivious to dangers lurking in the dark territory of the unknown.”

With political marketing, AI provides politicians with tools to not only study voters’ wishes but to also exploit their fears, cravings, hatred and desires. As a result of the electorate’s irrationality, politicians with great skill for elections, personal charisma and advanced public speaking abilities are selected. However, it is far from certain that a candidate with outstanding public capabilities will have a proper understanding of foreign and economic policies.

The activity of a single Facebook algorithm can determine the future of a country. If these platforms are used to manipulate the public opinion through AI, they can change the results of an election in the most technologically and institutionally strong nations as we have seen happening in the 2016 American presidential elections and in the UK’s Brexit referendum. By analysing these examples we can clearly predict the threat to our fragile democracy.

Citizens should be motivated to enhance their knowledge of the democratic process and more actively participate in politics in order to defend themselves against political propaganda and gain a better understanding of the true intentions of political candidates. Non-governmental organisations like PILDAT, which are working to promote democracy in Pakistan, should also focus on this aspect while educating the masses. This sort of education will also help to counter hybrid warfare as well as promote tolerance in the society.

Kai-Fu Lee, a scientist and author of the book, AI Superpowers, says that in the next 15 years, 50% of the jobs will be threatened by AI. This will include both white and blue collar professional such as drivers, delivery boys, reporters, traders and analysts.

As per the new national development report, 64% of the population in Pakistan is below the age of 30. Such a huge percentage of population is not ready for this transition and in the coming decade this is going to pose an immense threat to our socio-economic situation.

Think tanks and policymaking institutions, particularly the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Science and Technology, should formulate policies in this regard for maximum benefit from this inevitable revolution.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2020.

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