In conversation with Nick Clegg: Can democracy survive the pace of technology?

Sir Nick Clegg outlines how democracies can harness technology and prevent abuses.

Members event Recording
12 September 2024 — 3:00PM TO 4:00PM
Chatham House and Online

Event video

— The Rt Hon Sir Nick Clegg outlines how democracies can harness technology and prevent abuses.

2024 is testing the strength of democracies’ foundations. Those foundations are increasingly digital. With nearly half the world’s population voting, technology platforms - in search, media and digital politics - are in positions of significant democratic responsibility. Protecting citizens from information operations, deep fakes and negotiating the changing shape of digital politics is a challenge for even the most sophisticated governments and regulators. Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize political campaigning, and perhaps even how citizens engage with government. But will these changes lead to a stronger, or weaker, democracy?

Sir Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta, speaks at Chatham House on the role that technology plays in a modern democracy. He will discuss how technology, democracy and elections intertwine in today’s world and how democracies can use technology to restore trust with citizens.

Key questions to be discussed include:

  • How might AI disrupt politics, the electoral process, or democracy itself? How can governments and technology companies better cooperate to uphold democratic norms?
  • How will open-source technologies impact the way that governments and consumers interact with AI? And what are the benefits of open-sourcing?
  • What are some ways in which regulation can potentially hamstring areas, such as the EU, from benefiting from this technology?
  • In what ways can you work with governments to ensure the safe and responsible adoption of AI technologies?
  • Will AI solve the productivity crises many developed nations are experiencing?

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