Technische Universität Dresden Contributes to the 2024 German-Polish Festival with Thought-Provoking Panel on AI and Democracy
16/01/2024
In a significant contribution to the 2024 German-Polish Festival, Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden) hosted a panel discussion centered on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of democracy. This engaging conversation brought together leading experts from Germany and Poland to address pressing questions on the role of AI in modern political processes.
The panel featured renowned experts Anne Lauber-Rönsberg and Frank Fitzek from TU Dresden, alongside Adam Chmielewski and Pawel Nowakowski from the University of Wroclaw. Together, they explored the current state of AI, its regulatory frameworks, and the political and philosophical implications of AI’s involvement in decision-making processes that shape democratic societies. Their discussion also touched upon the crucial role of media education in navigating a digital landscape rife with misinformation and biased news sources.
A key takeaway from the panel was the urgent need for critical media literacy to help citizens differentiate between reliable and unreliable information. As AI continues to influence political discourse, the ability to assess digital tools and news sources becomes more essential for making informed decisions in a rapidly changing political environment.
Pawel Nowakowski referenced the ENCODE project, which focuses on understanding the dynamics of affective polarization and its future in the context of AI. The project’s work is defined as it investigates how emotional and ideological divides, amplified by digital technologies, are reshaping political engagement and public opinion. In discussing the future of AI and democracy, the panelists considered how AI can both exacerbate and mitigate affective polarization, offering new avenues for understanding and addressing political fragmentation.
As global discussions on AI’s role in governance and democracy intensify, the insights shared during this panel are set to play a crucial role in shaping future debates on the ethical, political, and social implications of AI technologies.
About Technische Universität Dresden
Technische Universität Dresden is one of Germany’s leading universities, known for its research excellence and interdisciplinary approach to addressing societal challenges. Through collaborations with international partners, TU Dresden is at the forefront of innovation in technology, policy, and governance.