Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the third edition of the International Symposium on Applied Philosophy (ISoAP). See below the content of the lectures:

 

Content

Resisting Algorithmic Authoritarianism

 Algorithmic authoritarianism refers to the use of algorithms and AI to monitor, and manipulate society in ways that undermine democratic values, human rights, and individual autonomy.  Governments, billionaires and corporations are using AI and algorithms to conduct mass surveillance, shape public opinion, and obscure institutionalized discrimination. Recommendation algorithms and social media have created insular bubbles resistant to alternative points of view. I will discuss these challenges, and the legislative remedies proposed in the European Union and elsewhere.

 

Algorithmic Democratic Organizing and Deliberation

 Electing representatives is an imperfect way to ensure that citizens’ views are reflected in policy, and electronic tools may allow us to replace or complement representative democracy. There are now hundreds of digital platforms being used in political organizing, but most are intended to get citizens to give money and vote. Less common are platforms intended to solicit citizen opinions and shape them into campaigns. Some political parties have experimented with “liquid democracy,” replacing or complementing traditional party deliberations with electronic referenda. Countries like Taiwan and some cities have experimented with open electronic participation in setting budgets or determining policies. I will discuss the advantages and drawbacks of electronically facilitated citizen organizing and deliberation.

 

Automating the State

 Advancing AI will likely begin to create technological unemployment in the next two decades, including in public sector employment. I will review the evidence that the functions of the state can be automated, from social service to law enforcement to defense. Then I will consider the potential consequences of a shrinking state for democratic accountability.

 

Algorithmic Citizens and Digital Twins

One of the biggest problems of democracy is that most citizens would prefer to delegate the bottomless burden of participation. Agentic AI will soon allow us to inform a digital twin with our history, preferences and personal style, enabled to advise us, and communicate and purchase on our behalf. Digital citizen twins could constantly translate your thoughts, interests, and values into political communication and action. I will review experiments working towards automation of citizen engagement, and the need for nonprofit agentic AIs designed for democracy.

In this edition (III ISoAP), we will have lectures by Professor James Hughes on “Algorithmic Democracy”.

The online event will take place from November 6 to 8, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (official Brazilian time).

Registrations: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdF8OYQ-fUhH3Ps6IpAWYbOQICAenVWlCxE3RzUiAhPBzPHRA/viewform

 

Everyone is welcome to join the debate.

 

Best,

Murilo.