Artificial Intelligence, Politics and Democracy

Debates on the use and regulation of artificial intelligence tend to highlight the ambiguity of its impact on the democratic political process in terms of risks and opportunities. The spread of artificial intelligence technologies may affect individual and collective autonomy, either by changing the social and political practices that shape individual choices in different ways or by directly affecting fundamental rights. The danger lies not in short-term manipulations but in the long-term erosion of the infrastructural conditions of the public sphere. A detailed study of the interplay of artificial intelligence technologies and democratic development, taking into account specific aspects of the political life of society, is necessary to better understand the reconfiguration of the changing options for individuals, corporations and states. This article analyzes the terminological ambiguity of the concept of artificial intelligence in the context of its impact on politics and the democratic process and notes that artificial intelligence research addresses this issue through various forms of discursive critique, where attention is focused not on definitions but on modes of interpretation and their consequences. In analyzing the relationship between artificial intelligence and politics and democracy, the article pays special attention to such aspects as political self-determination, political participation and democratic governance. It emphasizes the importance of effective oversight by government and civil society over companies developing and using artificial intelligence technologies, which implies, in particular, the creation of effective institutions capable of defending public interests and civil and democratic rights, including in spite of technical capabilities and economic incentives. It is concluded that the influence of artificial intelligence on the political process and democracy will increase, which leads to the need to professionalize and develop its systematic interdisciplinary research.