Author: Mark Siedle

Original publication: 19 June 2023

What we do to address governance of artificial intelligence is a subject that is achieving a lot of airplay.

Last week, the European Union (EU) parliament moved closer to passing one of the world’s first laws governing artificial intelligence(AI). Use of AI is very visible in the media, especially since the release of the ChatGPT bot, and predictions of some form of dystopian future where the bots take over.

As an interested ‘layman’ but no expert, I’d recommend a book entitled “The Digital Republic: on Freedom and Democracy in the 21^stCentury” by Jamie Susskind.

In the spirit of using the technology, I asked ChatGPT to write me a book synopsis of 100 words. I also asked for a re-write. I thought that both were worth publishing, basically the same but different. Both strongly argue that we need to urgently engage with these new challenges of the digital age. I don’t think I could have done a better job of writing a synopsis– yes, I did read the book from cover to cover:

No1: “In Jamie Susskind's groundbreaking book "The Digital Republic," he explores the profound impact of digital technology on our political systems and proposes a radical vision for the future. Susskind argues that the digital revolution has given rise to a new form of power, where control over information and algorithms becomes pivotal in shaping society. Drawing on insights from philosophy, political theory, and technology, he unveils the potential of a "digital republic" - a system that upholds democratic values while harnessing the transformative capabilities of technology. Susskind's thought-provoking analysis challenges us to reimagine governance in the digital age and confront the ethical dilemmas posed by the ever-expanding digital realm”.

No.2: “Jamie Susskind's book, "The Digital Republic," delves into the profound societal changes brought about by the rise of digital technology. In this thought-provoking work, Susskind explores the evolving relationship between citizens, the state, and the digital world. He argues that the digitization of our lives has significant implications for democracy, power structures, and individual freedoms. Susskind's analysis examines the impact of surveillance, data collection, and algorithmic decision-making, highlighting the potential erosion of privacy and autonomy. However, he also offers insights into how these challenges can be addressed, advocating for a renewed focus on digital citizenship, transparency, and public accountability. Ultimately, "The Digital Republic" urges readers to critically engage with the consequences and possibilities of the digital age”.

Susskind argues that there are 3 possible routes forward:

1.      Digital Technocracy

2.     Digital Libertarianism

3.     Digital Socialism.

If you want to know what these mean, and you don’t want to read the book, then just ask ChatGPT to summarise for you. If my simplistic understanding of the EU regulation is correct, then it probably comes under the “Digital Technocracy” alternative.

One point to ponder: if Jamie Susskind had not used his intellectual prowess and his writing ability to put forward his novel ideas, would the AI engine be creative enough to propose these sensible alternatives? At this stage, humans are still required for the creative thought. The other critical element is about checking your sources: it is easy for me to check the bot, as my request asks for information from only one source. But what happens if you are asking for a summary of everything out there? How do you validate if it is true or not?

#ai #gce #aigovernance

Suggestion: for your next read, go here to my AI for Sales article: www.elementalnetworks.com.au/post/ai-for-sales