2 new books issue fresh warnings about AI ahead of the US election

Technological threats to democracy: As the United States approaches its presidential election on November 5, concerns about technology’s potential to disrupt the democratic process, particularly through AI-generated misinformation, are reaching new heights.

• Two recently published books, “Taming Silicon Valley: How We Can Ensure that AI Works for Us” by Gary Marcus and “The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley” by Marietje Schaake, offer critical perspectives on the increasing influence of technology companies on politics and society.
• Both authors warn about the outsized power of Silicon Valley and its potential to undermine democratic processes, albeit from different angles.

AI’s looming shadow over elections: Gary Marcus’s book focuses on the risks posed by generative AI and large language models, highlighting their potential to create and spread misinformation at an unprecedented scale.

• Marcus expresses certainty that AI-generated misinformation will play a significant role in the upcoming U.S. election, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue.
• The book calls for stronger privacy protections, improved AI literacy among the general public, and robust AI governance to mitigate these risks.

Tech companies as unaccountable power brokers: Marietje Schaake’s work examines how rapid digitization has elevated private companies to the role of unaccountable providers of rights and services traditionally guaranteed by governments.

• Schaake provides concrete examples of tech companies’ disproportionate power, such as Amazon’s dominance in cloud computing and Meta’s influence on public discourse.
• The author argues that the focus should be on addressing harms to democracy itself, rather than solely on economic impacts.

Broader implications for democratic institutions: Both books underscore the need for urgent action to protect democratic processes from the potentially harmful effects of unchecked technological advancement.

• The authors’ warnings come at a critical time, as governments and societies grapple with how to regulate AI and limit the power of tech giants.
• These works contribute to a growing body of literature calling for more robust oversight and regulation of the tech industry to safeguard democratic values.

Key recommendations: The authors propose several measures to address the challenges posed by technology to democracy.

• Marcus advocates for enhanced privacy protections, greater AI literacy among the public, and the establishment of strong AI governance frameworks.
• Schaake emphasizes the importance of focusing on the broader impacts of technology on democratic institutions, rather than solely on economic considerations.

Expert perspectives: The authors’ backgrounds lend credibility to their warnings and recommendations.

• Gary Marcus, a cognitive scientist and AI expert, brings a deep understanding of the technical aspects of AI and its potential impacts.
• Marietje Schaake, a former member of the European Parliament, offers insights from her experience in policymaking and technology regulation.

Analyzing deeper: While these books offer valuable insights into the challenges facing democracy in the digital age, it’s important to consider that technological advancements also have the potential to strengthen democratic processes when properly implemented and regulated.

• Future discussions may need to focus on striking a balance between harnessing the benefits of technology for democratic engagement and mitigating its potential risks.
• The ongoing debate surrounding these issues will likely shape policy decisions and technological development in the coming years, with far-reaching consequences for global democracy.