The future is now

: liberal democracies and the challenge of artificial intelligence

Abstract

Current technological developments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Machine Learning, have a significant impact on multiple – if not all – dimensions of our lives. They are deployed, used, and fed by people in a social, cultural, and political context. They can also be used to change and influence that same context, namely the governmental system, the social dimension, and individuals' rights and liberties in a political regime. This dissertation will entail analyze how these technologies are being deployed in different dimensions of liberal democratic societies This analysis will delve into the dynamic of Big Tech data collection, the challenges posed by algorithmic decision-making tools on democratic institutions and the profound and tacit impact of surveillance technology. It will focus on the major challenges these technological deployments may represent, separately and as a whole, on a human rights and ethical perspective as well as an institutional one. The dissertation aims to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of diverse uses of AI and policy options in the socio-political dimension, instigating awareness and reflection on the paths being built. This reassessment is particularly focused on the possibility of AI as a strengthener and enhancer of liberal democracies, their values, and institutional structures.

Date of Award	9 Mar 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	William Hasselberger (Supervisor)