Digital Democracy and Bureaucracy on a chip - participation and pluralism by Citizen’s Apps?
The World Forum on the Future of Democracy, Tech and Humankind, 18th–19th February 2024, Berlin
Marc Rotenberg
Founder of Center for AI and Digital Policy
Jillian C. York
Director of International Freedom of Expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation
Isabela Fernandes
Executive Director TOR Project
Claudia Bechstein
Moderator for digitalization, sustainability, tech and business topics
Isabela Fernandes
Executive Director TOR Project
Call for action: The World Forum's panel on digital democracy advocates for comprehensive approaches, including narrative importance, decentralized empowerment, and global regulatory frameworks, to protect civil society and democratic values in the evolving digital landscape, emphasising the urgency of collective action, fostering a belief in humanity's capacity to overcome challenges through unified efforts.
Main outcomes
Democratic Challenges and Urgency for Action: The panel highlighted challenges to democracy, including perceived threats to critical thinking and transparency erosion. Scepticism about the state of democracy, particularly in light of potential symbolic endings like the re-election of Trump, underscored the need for urgent collective action to protect democratic values.
Narratives, AI Governance, and Encryption: Emphasis was placed on the role of narratives in shaping perceptions of democratic tools, with concerns about the potential misuse leading to a moral and ethical crisis. The discussion extended to AI policy and governance, urging a shift from abstract discussions on "responsible" AI to concrete focus on governance, legal controls, and democratic decision-making. The importance of encryption as a human right for protecting civil rights was also highlighted.
Digital Democracy Realities and Software Solutions: Challenges in achieving digital democracy, particularly in Germany, were acknowledged, pointing to practical issues and a global unpreparedness. The importance of narratives in understanding the impact of technology was stressed, alongside a call for comprehensive communication strategies. The protection of free and open-source software solutions was discussed, recognizing potential risks due to legislative actions and advocating for safeguards against criminalization and legislative challenges.
Panel Discussion summary
The panel’s discussion “Digital Democracy and Bureaucracy on a chip - participation and pluralism by Citizen’s Apps?” moderated by Claudia Bechstein underscored the intricate interplay of technology, governance, and societal values in the dynamic landscape of digital democracy. The panellists are Marc Rotenberg, Isabela Fernades, Karim Amer and Jillian York. The panel delved into the intricate relationship between technology, governance, and societal values in the evolving digital democracy landscape. From reflections on democracy challenges to discussions on AI policy, encryption, and the impact of Facebook, the panellists explored various facets.
Marc emphasised the importance of narratives, both in understanding the impact of technology on collective actions and in conveying complex issues for effective regulation. Concerns were raised about the pace of progress in implementing safeguards for AI, advocating for a shift towards effective governance, legal controls, and democratic decision-making. Encryption emerged as a crucial pillar in Isabela’s speech for safeguarding civic rights against challenges such as disinformation, censorship, and surveillance.
Jillian also touched on practical issues hindering the progress of digital democracy, such as the persistence of paper-based processes and limited digital capabilities in certain regions. The significance of anonymity in online spaces was stressed, cautioning against a simplistic ban on anonymity due to its vital role. Reflecting on regulatory efforts and global impact, Marc underscored the challenge of conveying complex issues and the importance of narratives, imagery, and engaging storytelling. A counter argument defending the EU's proactive approach to technology regulation and legislative developments was presented, expressing optimism about addressing digital challenges promptly.
Moreover, discussions extended to the role of citizens' apps, generative AI techniques' potential impact on politics, and the need to empower individuals through free and open-source software solutions. Karim focused on technology and society, highlighting the importance of narratives in understanding the impact of technology on collective actions. Concerns were expressed about the potential impact of generative AI techniques on politics, particularly the spread of misinformation and its potential to discourage political participation.
The concluding message called for collective action to protect democracy, emphasising urgency, belief in humanity's ability to overcome challenges, and the importance of decentralisation. Activating decentralised networks was stressed for collective empowerment and safeguarding democratic values globally.