Relational AI for caring democracies? | U!REKA online-lecture series: Democracy under threat
Democracy is one of the ‘core values’ of the European Union. Together with the rule of law and human rights, it forms the normative basis for open, inclusive and just societies committed to tolerance, solidarity and non-discrimination. However, scholars and commentators have been speaking about a ‘crisis of democracy’ for decades, and it appears that this crisis has magnified in the last years.
In our online lecture series, we analyse the present moment and discuss what conditions it – in economic, political, socio-cultural, technological and ecological terms. And in so doing, we explore what democracy is, and what it could be, how it is threatened and why and what can be done to defend and extend it in a sustainable way.
25/01/2027, 16:00-17:00 (CET)
Relational AI for caring democracies?
The alarming economic, ecological and social impacts of AI systems developed by major tech giants are increasingly raising serious concerns about how AI is changing our societies. These structural changes fundamentally reshape social communication and cooperation, heightening the risk of emotional manipulation and harm by AI. In our talk, we argue for AI that is attentive to power imbalances, challenges discrimination and supports socially, ecologically and economically sustainable forms of cooperation. Drawing on different examples, we explore both the challenges and possibilities of developing a more relational form of AI that can contribute to more caring and democratic societies.
Speakers: Carin Rustema (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) & Anastasia Paschalidou (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)
Chair: Stefanie Wöhl (University of Applied Sciences for Business and Society BFI Vienna)
Target Group
Lectures are open to everyone interested in questions of democracy and especially to all members of U!REKA universities including students and life-long learners.
Registration
is required – please click here. The online links will be provided by email together with the confirmation of the registration.