Transforming Democracies? Participation and Representation

Description

Overview: This course is about AI and digital technologies impact on democracies across the globe.The internet and digital technologies impact on individual attitudes and behaviour which further influence organisational and institutional processes at national and international level. In addition, the development of AI (i.e., machine learning recommender algorithms, deep learning translation algorithms, large language models) raises new research questions about their positive or negative influence on politics. These include AI's potential for misinformation, disinformation, polarization, cybersecurity concerns and its impact on job markets globally. This course examines how key actors in a democracy – voters, political parties, civil society and digital activists, states, international organizations and the private sector – understand and use the benefits of technology. Furthermore the course will analyse how these actor respond to the risks posed by digital technologies through regulation. Syllabus: Week 1: introduction to AI, digital technology and democracy Week 2: Defining AI, digital technology for democracy Week 3: the impact of digital technology on democracy Week 4: the impact of digital technology on democracy (2) Week 5: Digital campaigning Week 6: Digital technology and its impact on political parties Week 7: The influence of AI and technology on civizen’s attitudes and behaviours Week 8: Responding to AI risks: national and international regulation Week 9: Institutional and organisational responses to technology and AI risks Week 10: Digital political literacy and digital skills Assessment: Assessment will be on the basis of two project reports. Students will be required to submit two project reports of between 4,000 and 5,000 words, with each constituting one half of the final mark.