Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven to be superior to human decision-making in certain areas. This is particularly the case whenever there is a need for advanced strategic reasoning and analysis of vast amounts of data in order to solve complex problems. Few human activities fit this description better than politics. In politics we deal with some of the most complex issues humans face, short-term and long-term consequences have to be balanced, and we make decisions knowing that we do not fully understand their consequences. I examine an extreme case of the application of AI in the domain of government, and use this case to examine a subset of the potential harms associated with algorithmic governance. I focus on five objections based on political theoretical considerations and the potential political harms of an AI technocracy. These are objections based on the ideas of ‘political man’ and participation as a prerequisite for legitimacy, the non-morality of machines and the value of transparency and accountability. I conclude that these objections do not successfully derail AI technocracy, if we make sure that mechanisms for control and backup are in place, and if we design a system in which humans have control over the direction and fundamental goals of society. Such a technocracy, if the AI capabilities of policy formation here assumed becomes reality, may, in theory, provide us with better means of participation, legitimacy, and more efficient government.
Highlights
Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven to be superior to human decision-making in certain areas
I propose that we examine the key questions in advance, and prepare our societies for a future in which AI has the role we desire it to have in politics
I will here provide a schematic overview of some of the obvious objections to an AI technocracy, based on the political harms it may cause. They are: a) people might need politics, b) legitimacy is linked to democracy, c) AI is not capable of morality, d) we have an issue with transparency related to AI and e) AI decision-making involves problems assigning responsibility
Summary
Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven to be superior to human decision-making in certain areas. In this paper I examine an argument in favour of involving AI in political decision-making This idea is based on the premise of AI’s stipulated ability to make better decisions than humans in certain areas, and the premise that we ought to implement the best policies possible. A final issue is that of accountability when AI is involved in making political decisions None of these objections are strong enough to fully debunk the argument in favour of employing AI in politics, if a technocracy of AI is implemented with a satisfactory system of control, mechanisms of backup, and a participatory element. It enables us to strengthen and revitalise de mocracy by showing why it is good, and not merely stating that it is
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