A week after we witnessed the oligarchs of American tech radically align themselves with President Trump’s agenda, I was invited to speak at a remarkable gathering of hope in Berlin as Europe’s first Political-Tech Summit convened.
More than 500 of the brightest of Europe’s next generation digital minds came together to explore how powerful AI solutions, leveraging the empathy and compassion of the human mind, could protect our democracy.
The timing of the summit was powerful, coming immediately before the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp and as the storm clouds of populism and (ultra) nationalism amass (or) gather ominously once again.
A major challenge for the summit was exploring tangible ways AI can be a force for good; from platforms that crowdsource community-led policymaking to models that find common ground between opposing groups.
The potential for technology to promote such empathy and to reduce hate is there—but only if it meets the demand that technology serves democracy and not undermine it.
Indeed, Google is developing a tool to identify and promote content that ‘bridges’ rather than divides. To do that, they’re screening content for curiosity, compassion and tolerance, the same qualities for the online sphere that Compassion in Politics works to promote in the political space.
The preservation of our fragile democracy demands that AI enhances freedom and equality, not erodes it—that AI connects, not disrupts or destroys. This is not a theoretical debate. The far right is flourishing, on a roll, and is already forging ahead harnessing the power of technology to spread disinformation, upheaval and hate.
So, it’s imperative that we push for policies that protect democracy, hold tech companies to account, and ensure AI is used for good. Our Compassion in Politics project now and over the next few months focuses on nailing (achieving) the adoption and implementation of solutions countering online hate, disinformation and turmoil.
If we don’t act now to shape how AI and technology impact our politics, those who thrive on fear, violence and division will do it for us. We must seize this moment of reckoning.
With compassion and determination,
Jennifer Nadel
Co-Director, Compassion in Politics